In a recent press release, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria, Mr. Abdallah M. Abu Shawesh, highlighted the ongoing collective struggle faced by the Palestinian people, as the Israeli government refuses to transfer 170 million shekels ($45.5 million) of Palestinian tax funds to the Palestine National Authority.
Accusing the Authority of unilateral actions and legal battles against Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague, the Israeli government justifies its withholding of funds, stating that those opposing their fighters and leaders in the Hague should not receive any assistance. This move, however, contradicts signed agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization, as well as international law.
The repercussions of this financial blockade are dire, with the Palestinian Authority unable to pay its employees their full salaries for several months, exacerbating an already fragile economic situation. Ambassador Shawesh emphasizes that such actions by Israel, the occupying power, are driving Palestinian society to the brink of collapse.
Urging the international community to intervene, the Ambassador calls for legitimate, legal, and diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government to cease its genocidal war and halt all illegal measures against the Palestinian people. The Ambassador's plea underscores the urgency of the situation and the imperative for concerted international action to address the escalating crisis.
The full statement below.
Press release
Friday, May 10, 2024
In its ongoing collective war against the Palestinian people, the Israeli government refuses to transfer 170 million shekels ($45.5 million) of the Palestinian tax funds to the Palestine National Authority.
They accuse the Authority of leading unilateral movements and legally fighting against Israel in the International Criminal Court ICC in Hague. They add that anyone who works against their fighters and leaders in Hague should not receive any assistance. The Israeli government is considering our tax revenue as assistance from its side.
Noting that this move is contradicting the signed agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization and also the international law.For many months in a row the Palestinian Authority was has not been able to pay its employees their full salaries which severely and negatively affects the already fragile economic situation. By doing so, Israel the occupying power, is pushing the entire Palestinian society to the brink of abyss.
The international community cannot sit by idly and watch the war against the Palestinian People affecting all aspects of their lives. We call on the international community to exercise all legitimate, legal and diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government to step back of its current genocidal war and all other illegal moves.
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