Israel Matzav

Priorities: Ban, Blair schnorr for the 'Palestinians'

With Iran about to go nuclear, what's worrying Ban Ki-Moon and Tony Blair? But of course, getting more money for the 'Palestinians.'

"I continue to call on the Israeli government to release the clearance revenues it is withholding from the Palestinian Authority without delay and resume their transfer on a regular basis," Blair said in a statement.

"The funds are vital for the functioning of the PA and Israel's withholding of these Palestinian funds threatens the salaries of some 180,000 employees, including Palestinian security officials who are working to provide security in the West Bank," the Quartet representative added.

"Only those who oppose peace," Blair added, benefit from withholding the funds from the PA.

Earlier Tuesday, Ban Ki-moon asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to resume the transfer of tax revenues to the PA, according to a UN spokesperson.

In a telephone conversation with the prime minister, Ban also expressed concern about Israel's plans for construction in the settlements, while praising the country's "approval of new UN construction projects worth US$ 5.5 million in Gaza."

The secretary-general emphasized the importance of creating "an environment conducive for the resumption of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians."

Why on earth should we abide by the agreement by turning money over to the 'Palestinians' when they have disdainfully violated that very same agreement by seeking 'statehood' unilaterally at the United Nations?

Labels: Ban Ki-Moon, Binyamin Netanyahu, Oslo accords, Palestinian tax transfers, Tony Blair

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:30 PM