Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that the Palestinian National Authority would take the issue of Israel withholding Palestinian funds to international institutions and courts if Israel refuses to return them.
In an interview with Sputnik, Abbas stated, “Israel is pirating millions in tax revenues collected on our behalf as a service fee, which is a right of the Palestinian people under the Paris Protocol.”
He added, “The withholding of these funds is a violation of international law that we will not remain silent about, and it has caused a significant financial and economic crisis, particularly affecting our ability to meet the Palestinian government’s obligations to our people.”
Abbas continued, “We have asked countries around the world, especially the United States, to pressure the occupying government to release the withheld Palestinian funds. We will take this matter to international institutions and courts if Israel refuses to return the funds as per the signed agreements.”
Earlier this week, the Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered the seizure of 100 million shekels ($26 million) from tax revenues designated for the Palestinian Authority, stating they would be used to compensate victims of Israeli terrorism.
In 2004, a law was passed mandating the Palestinian Authority’s responsibility to ensure a “decent life” for current and former Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Israeli politicians regularly criticize the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah for providing financial support to the families of Palestinians who were killed or imprisoned due to acts of violence against Israel.
