SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in his Jerusalem office, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Lior Mizrahi, Pool)
Israel Seizes $120m in Palestinian Funds Over UN Vote
Israel continues to respond with 'war, occupation and settlements'
Dec 02, 2012
Israel has seized over $120 million in tax revenues it collects for the Palestinian Authority in a second attempt to punish Palestine for its successful bid for observer status at the UN, which resulted in an overwhelming yes vote at the UN general assembly Thursday.
Directly following Friday's vote, which showed Israel and the US as the dominant opponents of a Palestinian state, Israel announced expansive settlement expansion plans in the West Bank of up to 3,000 new homes in settlements across the pre-1967 Green Line. An Israeli official admitted that the two actions were in direct response to the UN vote, the Guardian reports, and that they may withhold tax revenue from the PA again next month depending "on what the Palestinians do or don't do."
Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior Palestinian official, said Israel was guilty of "piracy and theft" in not handing over the funds.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas returned home Sunday to a large crowd and cheers of approval in Ramallah.
"We now have a state," he said as the crowd roared. "The world has said loudly, 'Yes to the state of Palestine.'"
Abbas then warned of Israel's "creative punishments":
"We have to realize that your victory has provoked the powers of war, occupation and settlements because their isolation is deepened."
Netanyahu confirmed to his Cabinet Sunday:
"Today we are building and we will continue to build in Jerusalem and in all areas that appear on Israel's map of strategic interests."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Israel has seized over $120 million in tax revenues it collects for the Palestinian Authority in a second attempt to punish Palestine for its successful bid for observer status at the UN, which resulted in an overwhelming yes vote at the UN general assembly Thursday.
Directly following Friday's vote, which showed Israel and the US as the dominant opponents of a Palestinian state, Israel announced expansive settlement expansion plans in the West Bank of up to 3,000 new homes in settlements across the pre-1967 Green Line. An Israeli official admitted that the two actions were in direct response to the UN vote, the Guardian reports, and that they may withhold tax revenue from the PA again next month depending "on what the Palestinians do or don't do."
Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior Palestinian official, said Israel was guilty of "piracy and theft" in not handing over the funds.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas returned home Sunday to a large crowd and cheers of approval in Ramallah.
"We now have a state," he said as the crowd roared. "The world has said loudly, 'Yes to the state of Palestine.'"
Abbas then warned of Israel's "creative punishments":
"We have to realize that your victory has provoked the powers of war, occupation and settlements because their isolation is deepened."
Netanyahu confirmed to his Cabinet Sunday:
"Today we are building and we will continue to build in Jerusalem and in all areas that appear on Israel's map of strategic interests."
Israel has seized over $120 million in tax revenues it collects for the Palestinian Authority in a second attempt to punish Palestine for its successful bid for observer status at the UN, which resulted in an overwhelming yes vote at the UN general assembly Thursday.
Directly following Friday's vote, which showed Israel and the US as the dominant opponents of a Palestinian state, Israel announced expansive settlement expansion plans in the West Bank of up to 3,000 new homes in settlements across the pre-1967 Green Line. An Israeli official admitted that the two actions were in direct response to the UN vote, the Guardian reports, and that they may withhold tax revenue from the PA again next month depending "on what the Palestinians do or don't do."
Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior Palestinian official, said Israel was guilty of "piracy and theft" in not handing over the funds.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas returned home Sunday to a large crowd and cheers of approval in Ramallah.
"We now have a state," he said as the crowd roared. "The world has said loudly, 'Yes to the state of Palestine.'"
Abbas then warned of Israel's "creative punishments":
"We have to realize that your victory has provoked the powers of war, occupation and settlements because their isolation is deepened."
Netanyahu confirmed to his Cabinet Sunday:
"Today we are building and we will continue to build in Jerusalem and in all areas that appear on Israel's map of strategic interests."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.