RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Palestinian political leaders on Sunday told Ma'an they believe the failure of Arab states to deliver on aid pledges is the result of US pressure.

Arab League members had agreed a $100 million monthly payment to the Palestinian Authority, but the League chief Nabil al-Arabi said on a visit to the West Bank on Saturday that none had been delivered.

Deputy Secretary General of the PFLP Abdul Raheem Mallouh said that there are American pressures on the Arab states to financially blockade the PA.

Secretary General of the Popular Struggle Front Ahmed Majdalani said the failure to transfer funds was "clearly a political decision... (and) collective punishment against the Palestinian people because of the agenda of seeking an independent Palestinian state"

Meanwhile Fatah spokesman Ahmad Assaf said it was up to Arab states to explain the impasse.

The West Bank's Palestinian Authority is facing worsening financial straits as donor pledges from the Western and regional nations drop off, and Israel seizes Palestinian tax revenues.