Israel continues to illegally withhold NIS 7.26 billion of Palestinian funds; refuses to release them

RAMALLAH: The Government Communication Center (GCC) of the Prime Minister's Office said over the past few years, the Israeli government has illegally deducted around 7.26 billion shekels from Palestinian tax revenues and has refused to return these funds, according to the latest figures by the Ministry of Finance. Since the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza in early October 2023 through August 2024, the Israeli authorities have deducted approximately NIS 2.83 billion, under the pretext that these sums are allocated for Gaza. On average, NIS 257 million is deducted each month. Israel deducts these funds as a punitive measure against the Palestinian Authority, as part of its strategy to press the PA into ceasing payments allocated for Gaza, mainly for salaries of public employees, first and foremost in health and education sectors. Despite this, the Government of Palestine remains steadfastly committed to fulfilling its obligations and responsibilities. It continues to pay partial salaries to public employees in Gaza on par with those in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. From February 2019 to August 2024, Israel deducted a total of NIS 3.54 billion from Palestinian funds, citing payments intended for the families of martyrs and prisoners as a pretext. This amounts to an average of NIS 53.6 million per month. Despite ongoing demands, Israel continues to withhold these funds and refuses to release them. Israel not only withholds funds equivalent to Gaza's allocations and those allocated for the families of martyrs and prisoners, totaling NIS 6.36 billion, but also persistently refuses to transfer the Palestinian Authority's revenue from exit tax (departure fees paid by Palestinian travelers) at border crossings to Jordan. This amount, which has accumulated over the years, has now surpassed NIS 900 million, bringing the total deductions withheld by Israel to approximately NIS 7.26 billion, read the Statement. Concerning the Israeli deductions from Palestinian tax revenues (clearance funds) for the purpose of cov ering utilities such as electricity, water, sewage, and hospitals, the cumulative deductions from 2012 to August 2024 have now reached roughly NIS 20.2 billion. Israel has consistently declined to carry out an audit of the invoices and deductions made from these funds throughout the years. This includes the expenses incurred for electricity and water in Gaza, along with charges for direct connections between various Palestinian areas and the Israeli side. For Instance, Israel deducts a monthly sum of NIS 40 - 50 million for Gaza's electricity and water consumption as local companies did not transfer the funds collected from citizens. It has done so for an extended period of time, coupled with the Israeli occupation's decision to cut off electricity to Gaza as part of its punitive measures against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Accordingly, the Government of Palestine is actively engaging with international partners to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation government to immediately and uncondit ionally release the Palestinian funds it illegally withholds. The prompt release of these funds is very crucial, and will enable the Government to fulfill its obligations to the Palestinian people, especially given the current dire and difficult conditions, said the statement. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA