02/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Parliament Development Committee, Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL, Italy) indicated in a press release that the Special International Envoy to Palestine, James Wolfensohn, had warned the Quartet for the Middle East that, “in two weeks time the finances of the Palestinian Authority is in danger of collapsing”. He explained that in February a $ 100 million hole appeared in the Palestinian coffers due to the Israeli decision to suspend the transfer of customs rights to the Palestinian authorities. The MEP explained that according to Wolfensohn, the Palestinian Authority would need between “$ 60 and 80 million from the beginning of next week to be able to pay the wages of 140,000 Palestinians in February and if it isn't forthcoming, tension among the people could get worse”. Israel is said to have “blocked” these funds but in reality it is a “reprisal” to the Hamas election victory on 25 January, protested Ms Morgantini (EUROPE 9142).