Palestinian government employees in the West Bank began a two-day general strike on Wednesday, December 19 to protest against a delay in the payment of their wages because of Israeli economic sanctions, Reuters said.
Israel is withholding some $100 million in monthly customs revenues it collects on the Palestinians' behalf as punishment for their successful bid at the U.N. General Assembly last month to gain de-facto statehood recognition.
The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, was experiencing a deep financial crisis even before the move, and its 153,000 public sector workers have seen their salaries repeatedly issued late this year.
Around 50,000 workers took part in Wednesday's stoppage. West Bank security forces, a pillar of security and cooperation with Israel, and staff in the Gaza Strip did not participate.
Government workers last received salaries for October, which were paid belatedly at the end of last month. There was no word on when November or December wages might be handed over.
Israel said the unilateral Palestinian U.N. initiative contravened their peace accords and has threatened to withhold tax returns for four months to cover outstanding Palestinian debts with Israeli utility firms.
Strikes and protests over austerity measures turned violent in September. Demonstrators pelted security forces with rocks and called for the ousting of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and President Mahmoud Abbas.
