Ambassador Abdallah M. Abu ShaweshBy Harriet Tornguvan
In the ongoing conflict with the Palestinian people, the Israeli government has withheld 170 million shekels ($45.5 million) in tax funds from the Palestine National Authority.
Mr. Abdallah M. Abu Shawesh, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria, highlighted this in a press statement on Friday.
The Ambassador accused the Israeli government of taking unilateral actions and opposing Palestine in the International Criminal Court in Hague. Israel defends its decision by arguing that anyone opposing them in court should not receive assistance.
Furthermore, Mr. Shawesh expressed concern that Israel considers Palestinian tax revenue as assistance, contrary to agreements and international law.
He emphasized that this withholding has prevented the Palestinian government from paying full salaries to employees for months, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
The Ambassador urged the international community to apply legitimate, legal, and diplomatic pressure on Israel to cease its actions in the ongoing conflict and other illegal moves.