Foreign Minister Calls for Pressure on Israel to Stop Deductions from "Tax Revenues"

SadaNews: Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Farseen Agabkian Shaheen met with European Commissioner for Mediterranean Affairs Dubravka Šuica, where they discussed the current political and financial situations, along with the humanitarian challenges facing the Palestinian people amid the ongoing escalation by the Israeli occupation.

The minister began the meeting by thanking the European Union for providing the first financial installment to support the Palestinian government, noting that the government is awaiting the disbursement of the second installment as soon as possible, given the difficult economic conditions it is experiencing, which hinder its ability to carry out its duties.

Dr. Farseen affirmed that this money represents a legitimate right for the Palestinian people, warning of the continued illegal deductions imposed by Israel from tax revenues. She also addressed the escalation of settlers' attacks on towns, villages, and cities in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, calling for urgent intervention from the European Union and the international community to protect Palestinian civilians and impose strict penalties on settlers.

Furthermore, the minister discussed the refugee file during the meeting, emphasizing the importance of continuing the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), explaining that Israel seeks to eliminate UNRWA’s role with the aim of obliterating the refugee issue and ending the right of return, which constitutes a clear violation of international resolutions.

For her part, the European Commissioner confirmed that the European Union will continue to engage with all relevant parties to find practical and effective solutions to the current challenges, contributing to support for the Palestinian people and achieving stability in the region.

Later, the Foreign Minister met with the Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, where both parties reviewed the developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank and its camps.

Kallas opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of the issues raised, referring to the ongoing European efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and seeking the release of the illegally withheld Palestinian tax revenues. She also confirmed that the European Union continues to pressure for the entry of humanitarian aid into the sector and its fair distribution, considering that the United States holds the key to the greatest influence in this regard.

Kallas added that the European Union is exerting pressure on Israel to impose sanctions on settlers involved in attacks in the West Bank.

In turn, Minister Shaheen stressed the necessity of respecting international law in all areas, affirming that any political or humanitarian progress will not be realized without an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. She warned of the dangers of settlers' attacks and crimes in the West Bank, urging the European Union to take firm steps in this file.

The minister called for pressure from all EU countries on the Israeli government to immediately release the tax revenues, considering their continued detention as illegal. She confirmed that traditional methods of dealing with Israel are no longer effective, and that there is an actual need to impose sanctions due to its repeated violations of international law.

Dr. Shaheen concluded the meeting by emphasizing the importance of pushing towards a two-state solution and a ceasefire, stressing the need for clear international guarantees from the European Union and the international community to ensure Israel's compliance with signed agreements and prevent violations.