Monday, December 3, 2012

Israel withholds $100 Million to Palestinians in reaction to the U.N. Move

Israel on Sunday roundly rejected the United Nations’ endorsement of an independent state of Palestine, announcing it would withhold more than $100 million collected for the Palestinian government to pay debts to Israeli companies. 
It was the second act of reprisal since the U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to support the Palestinians’ statehood initiative. The following day, Israel announced it would start drawing up plans to build thousands of settlement homes, including the first-ever residential developments on a sensitive piece of land near Jerusalem. Actual construction would be years away. 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the statehood campaign, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as “a gross violation of the agreements signed with the state of Israel.” “Accordingly, the government of Israel rejects the U.N General Assembly decision,” he said. Israel, backed by the U.S., campaigned against the statehood measure, arguing that only negotiations can deliver a Palestinian state. 
[...]
The money will be used to help pay off the authority’s debts to Israel, including $200 million owed to the state-run Israel Electric Corp....
Hitting the Palestinians right in the pocketbook....BRILLIANT! Maybe Israel can give President Obama a few lessons in pocketbook diplomacy. I can think of a few countries we should stop sending money to. I'll bet you can also?

Read the full article HERE and two related videos are below:
 

Here Former UN Amb John Bolton gives his reaction:
 

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm confused.

"...it would withhold more than $100 million collected for the Palestinian government to pay debts to Israeli companies."

Do you mean Israel collected tax money from the Hamas controlled territories, to give back to the Hamas controlled territories, so they can pay Israel (companies) money that the Hamas controlled territory owes Israel companies?

1. What assurance does Israel have that that money will be used to pay Israeli debts and not be diverted to terrorist activity?

2. Why doesn't Israel just give the money to the companies themselves?

Anonymous said...

It was probably a deal that the Israeli Govt made with the electric Co to supply power to Gaza.

The Palestinians were way behind in paying.

I suppose that's as good excuse as any to keep that money in Israel rather than in Palestinian hands.