By Staff Reporter
Israel has illegally seized US$ 544 million in Palestine tax and customs revenue. Israel plans to use tax revenue it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority to pay the PA’s nearly 2-billion-shekel ($544 million) debt to state-run Israel Electric Co.
In a statement, Ambassador of the State of Palestine Dr Tamer Almassri strongly condemns Israel’s continued illegal seizure of tax and customs revenues citing that this act constitutes a blatant violation of international law and constitutes a form of financial piracy.
Israel’s systematic theft of Palestinian funds, particularly in the wake of its recent aggression against Gaza, demonstrates a callous disregard for the basic needs and human rights of the Palestinian people.
Since Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, Israel government has withheld sums earmarked for administration expenses in Gaza.
Those frozen funds are held in Norway and, and the Israel government, would instead be used to pay the debt owed to the IEC of 1.9 billion shekels.
However, Almassri said by withholding these funds, Israel is effectively imposing collective punishment on the Palestinian population, exacerbating economic hardship and deepening the humanitarian crisis.
“This illegal seizure of Palestinian funds directly undermines the Palestinian Authority’s ability to provide essential services to its people, including healthcare, education, and social welfare programs, said Almassri.
Adding on he said the illegal seizure has a devastating impact on the Palestinian economy and contributes to a cycle of poverty and deprivation.
The State of Palestine calls upon the international community to demand the immediate and unconditional return of all illegally seized Palestinian funds, hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law
The State of Palestine will continue to pursue all available legal and diplomatic avenues to secure the return of its rightful funds and to end Israel’s illegal occupation and its systematic violations of Palestinian rights.
