daglous masveta
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri has condemned Israel’s continued withholding of over US$544 million in Palestinian tax and customs revenue.
In a statement, Ambassador Almassri labelled the act as “financial piracy” and a “blatant violation of international law,” and urged the global community to intervene.
“This is not just an economic issue, it is a direct assault on the human rights of the Palestinian people,” he said.
“By withholding these funds, Israel is imposing collective punishment on an already vulnerable population, violating fundamental principles of international law and human dignity.”
The seized revenues, which are collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA) under the Paris Protocol, constitute a significant portion of the authority’s budget.
The funds are essential for maintaining critical services, including healthcare, education, and social welfare programmes.
“This systematic theft cripples our ability to provide for our people,” he said.
“It deepens economic hardship, fuels the humanitarian crisis, and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and deprivation. This is collective punishment at its worst,” said Ambassador Almassri.
The ambassador also highlighted the broader implications of Israel’s actions, particularly in the wake of the recent military escalation in Gaza.
“The world must see this for what it is, it is a war crime. Israel’s disregard for international law not only undermines Palestinian sovereignty but also sets a dangerous precedent for the rule of law globally,” he said.
The State of Palestine has called on the international community to take decisive action.
“We urge nations to demand the immediate and unconditional return of these funds,” Ambassador Almassri said.
“Accountability must be enforced. The time for silence has passed.”
Palestine has also pledged to continue pursuing all available legal and diplomatic avenues to recover the seized funds and address what it describes as systematic violations of Palestinian rights.
