Israel Matzav

Thursday, February 17, 2011

'Palestinians': Where's the cash?

'Palestinians' are hoping that regime change in Egypt will help them recover some of the lost billions in international aid that were embezzled by Yasser Arafat and his cronies.

Bassam Abu Sharif, who served as an adviser to Yasser Arafat, called on the Palestinian Authority on Tuesday to demand the extradition of a former Palestinian official on suspicion of embezzling public funds.

Abu Sharif said the PA should seek Interpol’s help in locating Muhammad Rashid, who served as Arafat’s economic adviser, and seize his assets.

“Failing to pursue this man, who is suspected of embezzlement, would be a crime against our people,” Abu Sharif said.

He estimated Rashid’s personal fortune at $600 million.

A PA official in Ramallah said Rashid has refused to return to Ramallah to answer questions about the allegations against him.

Abu Sharif called on the military rulers of Egypt to arrest Rashid, who is believed to be living in Cairo, and hand him over to the PA.

“Restoring the stolen money of the Palestinian people is a must – and a national duty,” he added.

$600 million is a drop in the bucket compared to what Yasser Arafat stole.

According to the sources, billions of dollars that allegedly went missing then are believed to have been invested in various economic projects in Egypt.

The sources said the PA was hoping that Egyptian authorities looking into cases of corruption of former government officials and aides to ousted president Hosni Mubarak would be able to discover what happened to the Palestinians’ money.

Something tells me that the Egyptians won't be turning any of those projects - or for that matter Mr. Rashid - to the 'Palestinians.'

But hey - the 'international community' will make it up to the 'Palestinians' anyway. They can't find enough money to give them.

Labels: embezzlement, international aid, Yasser Arafat

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Fatah: Please don't expose our corrupt officials

Fatah's Central Committee condemned as 'fabricated and groundless' a Channel 10 (cable) news report that ~~Ahmed Qrei~~ Abu Ala has embezzled hundreds of millions of dollars from the 'Palestinian Authority.' Abu Ala is one of Fatah's most senior members, who served as Prime Minister at one time, and negotiated with former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni until the Olmert government fell in late 2008. As usual, Fatah is being a little disingenuous....

The report questioned the relationship between President Mahmoud Abbas and Qrei'a, in particular why Abbas had excluded the former prime minister from top positions.

Further, the report said the Palestinian Authority had notified Qrei'a that it was conducting an investigation into his finances, due to suspicions that he embezzled $700 million while in public office.

Qrei'a was recently prevented from crossing Allenby Bridge into Jordan in his car. Israeli officials at the border crossing said only the president and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad could cross the bridge in government cars.

A PA statement said the "government condemned the decision," however the Channel 10 report said the PA had agreed with Israel not to let Qrei'a cross the border in his car.

I guess Abu Ala learned well from the Rais (although that's small change compared to what Arafat took).

Labels: Abu Ala, Abu Mazen, embezzlement, Yasser Arafat