Much of the money comes from the European Union

Pardes Communications, Inc.Diane Pardes, 781-652-8059dpardes at pardescommunications Copyright Business Wire 2009. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel is preventing the Western-backed Palestinian Authority from transferring cash to the Gaza Strip to pay its workers and others hard-hit by war, Western and Palestinian officials said on Wednesday. The restrictions were put in place long before fighting broke out on December 27, with Israel arguing that Gaza had enough cash in circulation and that some of the money could end up with Hamas.Middle East envoy Tony Blair, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank countered that the restrictions were crippling Gaza's economy and undermining the Palestinian Authority, which adopted anti-money laundering rules to prevent any of the money from going to Hamas and other groups.It is unclear how Gaza's reconstruction will be handled. "It's a Pandora's box," one senior diplomat said, citing the restrictions imposed by Israel and the international community.Western powers consider Hamas a "terrorist" organization and refuse to transfer money directly to the group or its government in the Gaza Strip. But the Palestinian Authority has had little presence in the coastal territory since Hamas routed Abbas's secular Fatah faction and seized control in June 2007.Reconstruction largely hinges on convincing Israel to lift restrictions on imports of cash and building materials, like steel and cement.

Israel has long argued that such imports can be used by the Islamist group to rearm."The Gaza Strip was almost destroyed and it needs everything," said Nabil al-Zaeem, head of the Palestinian Commercial Service Co., one of Gaza's largest cement importers.He said rebuilding will not happen "if things did not change regarding the flow of cement and other construction materials."CASH REQUESTAbbas's government, headed by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, has asked Israel for permission to send more than $80 million to the Gaza Strip. That includes 243 million Israeli shekels ($62 million), the tender used in the Palestinian territories.The shipment would cover salary payments to some 77,000 Palestinian Authority workers in Gaza who report to Fayyad, as well as pension and welfare payments for retirees and the poor. Much of the money comes from the European Union.Of the money requested, Western officials said Israel has so far allowed in only some $10 million for the U.N Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). But the needs are much more dire now," Palestine Monetary Authority Governor Jihad Wazir told Reuters.Alix de Mauny, a spokeswoman for the European Commission office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, confirmed that Israel has yet to allow the transfer of the cash to the Gaza Strip."Recovery and reconstruction of Gaza will be deeply hampered without the opening of the crossings to humanitarian and commercial goods, as well as cash," she said.(Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Editing by Alison Williams) World. CINCINNATI, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ Bob Brunjes, an executivewith more than a quarter century of experience in Florida media, has beenpromoted to president and general manager of the Scripps Treasure CoastNewspapers, which serve residents and businesses in the southeast Floridamarkets of Stuart, Port St Lucie, Vero Beach, Ft Pierce, Jupiter andSebastian. The appointment is effective immediately.Brunjes, 51, joined the Treasure Coast Newspapers in 1996 and served asthe classified display manager and retail sales manager before 2000, when hewas promoted to his most-recent role as vice president and advertisingdirector.As president and general manager, Brunjes will have oversight of localmedia company's advertising sales, news gathering, distribution, production,marketing, online, human resources, and information technology departments."Bob's leadership has influenced the Treasure Coast Newspapers beyond hisrole as head of advertising," said Mark Contreras, senior vice president ofnewspapers for The E.W Scripps Company.

"Bob has been at the forefront ofbroadening the advertiser's reach, and he has brought out the best inemployees and managers, encouraging them to think creatively and bring tofruition their ideas for gaining efficiencies."Brunjes will report to Tom Weber, the long-time leader of The Stuart Newsand the Treasure Coast Newspapers, who recently was named chairman andpublisher. Weber has announced that he will retire at the end of 2009 after 43years with the company.Beginning his advertising sales career in 1982, Brunjes quickly waspromoted from his first role as Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel's automotive salesrepresentative to its major accounts manager. After 14 years in Ft.Lauderdale, he spent one year leading the Florida Newspaper AdvertisingNetwork before joining Scripps.Brunjes serves as the chairman of the board of the Florida Press Serviceand has served as a member of the board of Florida Newspaper Advertising andMarketing Executives. As an active member of the community, he holds boardpositions with the Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association and the ProjectGraduation in Martin County.He earned a bachelor's degree in advertising from the University ofFlorida. A resident of Jupiter, Brunjes and his wife, Amy, have three grownchildren.About ScrippsThe E.W.