Israel close to sending $100 mln to Abbas-official

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JERUSALEM, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Israel hopes to release nearly $100 million in withheld Palestinian tax revenues to President Mahmoud Abbas by Friday, part of a U.S.-led push to bolster the moderate leader, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday.

Abbas could use the money to help make long-overdue salary payments to Palestinian public sector workers, hard hit by a Western and an Israeli embargo of the Hamas-led government.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been under U.S. pressure to take steps to strengthen Abbas in his power struggle with Hamas.

During his first formal meeting with Abbas on Dec. 23, Olmert promised to hand over the $100 million and to remove roadblocks in the occupied West Bank.

Haaretz

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1. IDF objects to U.S. plans to give Abbas' forces battle equipment

The Israel Defense Forces has raised objections to U.S. plans to equip Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's forces with body armor and other battle gear, an Israeli security source and European diplomats said on Wednesday.

An $86 million U.S. program to strengthen Abbas's presidential guard will include funding for four-wheel-drive vehicles, new uniforms and military training, diplomats briefed on the program said.

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As part of the steps promised to Abbas, the Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday that it recently removed 44 dirt barriers that were located near Palestinian villages in the West Bank. In recent years, the army established nearly 400 barriers and permanent roadblocks.

The IDF had previously announced it was easing the security checks at 16 central West Bank checkpoints.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/814673.html