By George Swarei
Ambassador Tamer Almassri Harare—The State of Palestine has issued a scathing condemnation of Israel’s continued seizure of over $544 million in Palestinian tax and customs revenues, describing the act as a war crime and a blatant violation of international law.
Dr. Tamer Almassri, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe , characterized the withholding of funds as a form of financial piracy, asserting that it deepens the economic hardship and humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian people. “This systematic theft demonstrates a callous disregard for human rights and imposes collective punishment on millions,” he stated.
The seized funds, critical to the operations of the Palestinian Authority, are meant to sustain essential services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare programs. The Ambassador emphasized that the illegal withholding undermines the Palestinian Authority’s ability to address the basic needs of its citizens, further exacerbating poverty and deprivation in the region.
The condemnation comes in the wake of Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza, which have drawn widespread criticism for their impact on civilians. Palestinian officials have urged the international community to demand the immediate and unconditional return of the withheld funds.
“This is not merely a financial issue; it is an attack on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination,” Dr. Almassri said. He called on global leaders to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to enforce compliance with international law.
The State of Palestine reiterated its commitment to pursuing all legal and diplomatic avenues to secure the return of the funds and to address Israel’s continued violations of Palestinian rights.
