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Writes Lloyd Rabaya
Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr. Tamer Almassri has condemned Israel’s seizure of over US$544 million in Palestinian tax and customs revenues.
Almassri called the seizure illegal and said it constituted 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.
By withholding these funds, Israel is effectively imposing collective punishment on the Palestinian population, exacerbating economic hardship and deepening the humanitarian crisis,” he said.
Almassri reiterated that the seizure is an impediment to the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s ability to provide essential services like education, healthcare, and social welfare.
He added that this has devastating effects on the Palestinian economy and will eventually cause a cycle of poverty and deprivation.
The envoy called upon the international community to intervene and, “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,” he continued.
This comes after Gaza’s Civil Defence said 70 children have been killed in Israeli strikes over five days.
