Palestine is on the brink of collapse. Israel must stop withholding money from the Palestinian Authority. By Luisa Morgantini
Member of the European Parliament and President of Development Committee
and Women in Black - Italy - Italian Peace Association
Brussels 28/02/06
"Palestine is on the brink of financial collapse. We cannot pretend that we don't see. While the media continue to talk about Israel "blocking" funds meant for the PNA, the truth is that what we're looking at is theft. The money that the Israeli government has blocked, as a punishment for the victory of Hamas in the recent elections - elections that were held in a climate of democracy and legality, attested by the European and international observers- are the monthly fiscal returns which by right and in accordance with the Olso accords and the Paris Economic Protocol (1994) are the legitmate property of the PNA.
The international envoy James Wolfensohn has also raised the alarm. The ex-director of the World Bank warned the Quartet of international mediators (Russian, USA, UN, and EU) that the finances of the PNA are at risk of collapse within the next 2 weeks: In February, a hole
representing 100 million dollars opened in the Palestinian finances, due to the Israeli decision to suspend the transfer of funds resulting from customs duties to the ANP. These funds are collected by the Israeli authorities on behalf of the Palestinian administration, with the undertaking to pay the money to the PNA on the first day of each month.
According to Wolfensohn, by next week the PNA will need a sum between 60 and 80 million dollars to be in a position to pay the February salaries of the 140 thousand palestinian public employees. If they are not in a position to do so, the tension among the population could rise even higher.
For its part, the European Union has sent a clear, though limited, signal to the PNA, the international community, and Israel with the announcement of a a package of 120 million Euro to meet the primary needs of the Palestinians - a gesture that is seen as positive even
by representatives of Hamas. Now it wouldn't just be "politically important" - as stated by the EU
commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero Waldner - for Israel to unblock the transfer of customs income to the Palestinians, it would be, about all, a first step towards the respect for the international law repeatedly violated by Israel with its policy of occupation and with the building of the wall.
That money belongs by right to the Palestinian National Authority and the fact that it is collected at the ports of entry by Israel, retaining moreover a percentage of the of income to finance to
operation, is evidence of the state of occupation of Palestine and of the policies of collective punishment practised by the Israeli government.
The European Union cannot yield to the blackmail of the Israeli government. So far Hamas has shown itself willing to stay within the democratic game and to not carry out any attacks. Not so, the Israeli government, which every day continues to kill Palestinian civilians.
Opposing the isolation of Palestine, taking action to ensure that Hamas continues its ceasefire and, as requested by President Mahomoud Abbas, accepts the undertaking made by the Palestinian Authority, and at the same time, putting pressure on Israel to return to the negotiating table and to stop the annexation of Palestinian territory. That is the only possible road to take if the European Union really believes in a just and sustainable peace in
Palestine and Israel."
Translated by Jane Reynolds - Women in Black - Rome
info: Luisa Morgantini office 0032.2.2847151 - Bruxelles