Palestinians blast Israel for freezing PA tax funds: 'Collective punishment'

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4610892,00.html

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat slammed Israel for its decision to withhold the transfer of some $125 million in tax funds to the Palestinian Authority in response to their decision to join the International Crime Court in The Hague, telling local media it was a "war crime."

If Israel thinks that through economic pressure it will succeed in diverting our approach from freedom and independence, then it is wrong," Erekat said

"This money is not Israeli charity to the Palestinian people… This is the money of the Palestinian people and Israel is not a donor country."

Israel has stopped tax transfers before but such freezes have been short-lived

[Purveyor]

1. As the apartheid parade marches merrily along... eom

[The Shredder]

2. And ignoring the definition of apartheid

Palestinian citizens are NOT Israeli citizens.

They can APPLY to become Israeli citizens, like everyone else.

Then they can enjoy the Israeli rights granted to them.

Remember, Palestinians wanted their own state? If you want to recognize Palestine, you cannot add a citizen of another country.

Do you want all rights granted in the UK because you're an U.S. citizen?

Think about it.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

3. Did you read the OP, or are you writing your responses in your sleep?

[oberliner]

4. Do you think BDS is a form of collective punishment?

If not, why not? If so, is that a problem?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

5. BDS is a means to an end for a corrupted apartheid state.

The more people see Israel for what it is BDS will grow…and it is.


Sleep tight knowing that.

[oberliner]

6. So it's a form of collective punishment, but a justifiable one?

Would that be fair to say?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

7. Oh, I'm sure the supporters of poor Apartheid South Afrika felt the same way as you, ober.

Think of it as political/social behavior modification.

[oberliner]

8. Huh?

I'm just asking if you think it is a legitimate form of collective punishment. It seems like it's fair to say that you do.

[azurnoir]

9. Can you give us examples of how BDS has negatively impacted the lives of every day Israeli's

caused pain and suffering, perhaps malnutrition or lack o needed medical care inability to repair or rebuild homes that have been destroyed

[azurnoir]

10. and the West Bank is not Israel so your citizenship excuse is meaningless

Israel as the military ruler of the West Bank is practicing apartheid

[The Shredder]

11. Yes it is. It's Israeli land!

Palestinians Arabs are NOT citizens of Israel.

Please stop throwing the word apartheid if you don't understand what it means.

You're just a sucker for a BDS movement. Oh, and you're probably ignoring this little tidbit:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113491674

That article talks about an ISRAELI ARAB exercising his rights as an Israeli Arab.

See the difference?

Of course not. You think it's propaganda anyway.

[azurnoir]

12. How would know what I think> I find such an statement quite interesting indeed

the shir audacity of it and the West Bank is Israel now that's quite a statement

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

13. You keep using that word.

I do not think it means what you think it means.

[polly7]

14. Insanity.

The prime minister had warned Palestinian leaders that they would face retaliation measures after they signed on to the Rome Statute at the Hague, a move than will now open the possibility of prosecuting Israel for war crimes.

In December 2012, Israel had also decided to suspend the tax revenues – which correspond to the duties Israel receives on behalf of Palestinian authorities.

"This is highway robbery. Not only is this illegal, they are adding money theft to land theft. The revenues belong to the Palestinian people, they go to pay salaries and support our economy. Israel has no business deciding to steal our funds," senior Palestinian negotiator, Hanan Ashrawi said.

In addition, Israel officials said the state is "weighing the possibilities for large-scale prosecution in the United States and elsewhere" of Palestinian President Mamoud Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials.

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Israel-to-Punish-Palestinians-by-Suspending-Tax-Transfer-20150103-0014.html