RAMALLAH, West Bank, July 2, SPA -- Israel transferred millions of dollars worth of tax funds to the new Palestinian government, allowing it to pay its workers in full for the first time in a year _ while skipping the ones who work for the Hamas Group in Gaza. Transfer of the funds Sunday marked the first concretegesture of Israeli support for moderate President Mahmoud Abbas since the Hamas took control of Gazaby force in mid-June. The Israeli government said in a statement that 500million shekels ($119 million, ¤88 million) were handedover, and Palestinian officials confirmed that theyreceived it. The Israelis said a further transfer would bemade in a few days, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/464007