RAMALLAH, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli official on Monday ruled out that Israel would accept the Palestinians' request to modify Paris protocol that regulates economic relations between the two sides, as public sectors went on strike in the West Bank to protest the rising cost of living.
The week-long street protests call for the resignation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the annulment of the Paris Protocol with Israel.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon believed that Israel would reject the Palestinian National Authority's (PNA) demand to amend the Paris Protocol. Ayalon said in remarks quoted by Israeli public radio that he has reservations on reviewing the Protocol, adding that the economic agreement with the Palestinians is organically linked to the political agreements signed between the two sides.
"There is no room to amend the Paris agreement as long as the political process is at a standstill," Ayalon said.
The Protocol signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel in 1994 is viewed by the protesters as detrimental to Palestinians' economic stability. The terms made Israel responsible for collecting custom duties on exported Palestinian goods, and guaranteed access to Israeli market. However, it has been part of Israel's policy to hold back revenues as punishment for Palestinian political measures such as the UN bid for statehood.
Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister Hussain al-Shiekh earlier said that upon a request from Abbas, he has written to Israel for an official review of the protocol, and is now waiting for a response.
Public transportation unions have joined the protests and went on strike paralyzing West Bank cities as employees and student were unable to reach their work or schools.
The protests have not always been peaceful, as youths set fire to tires and trash containers and obstructing roads.
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