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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Palestinian Blames U.S. for Lack of Money
2006-05-03
Gaza Strip - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said Wednesday that U.S. pressure foiled the latest attempt to pay 165,000 government workers by transferring money from abroad directly into their accounts.
Evil Zionist Amerikkans!!
Haniyeh also appealed to Arab nations to counter the U.S. moves.

Reflecting frustration over empty coffers, Haniyeh told a news conference that the Hamas-led government has stolen raised money, but so far has not found a way to get it into the Palestinian areas.

Public sector salaries are two months late, largely because
Israel and the West have frozen the transfer of funds to the Hamas-led government, branding Hamas a terrorist organization. The Palestinians need $116 million a month to pay for bomb belts salaries.

"We have given alternative suggestions and plans, including what has been reported about sending the lists of the employees to the Arab League to have a direct transfer to their accounts," Haniyeh said. "We even faced American pressure to prevent the direct transfer."
Oh you are soooo brave. Facing evil american diplomats!
Haniyeh appealed to Arab leaders to face up to the Americans "to stop the siege imposed on the Palestinian people and to stop the political blackmail against the government." He also called on Palestinian bankers to "show the necessary patriotism."
You show us a real will to live in peace with Israel, we will show you the money.
Banks have been hesitant to handle funds for the
Palestinian Authority for fear of U.S. sanctions.

On Friday, French President Jacques Chirac proposed the creation of a World Bank Oil for Food II fund to pay Palestinian Authority employees. Hamas said it would consider the idea, and President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed it.

The government is the largest employer in the Palestinian areas, and the tardy salaries have caused widespread hardship. Salaries for March were not paid, and April payments are overdue.
Boo Hoo. Widespread bombings have caused hardship for civilians in Israel.
In the past, the West has donated much of the $1 billion in annual foreign buyoff aid that makes up most of the Palestinian budget. The European Union is the Palestinians' largest donor, giving more than $600 million a year.
Here is an idea. How about you stupid fucks build up your own economy instead of blowing up and pillaging everything so we don't have to support your retarded asses?
Now the West has said it will fund only covert suicide bombins humanitarian projects without going through the Palestinian government. Also, Israel has halted transfer of about $55 million a month in taxes it collects for the Palestinian government.

The Arab League — which has a history of shortchanging the Palestinians on aid pledges — has only committed to deliver $55 million a month.
You collect billions in oil revenue a month and can only cough up 55 mil? Not like your people are already living in poverty, but where does the rest of the dough go?
Western governments have been looking for ways to turn control over their money to the slightly less insane moderate Abbas, who has been trying to curtail the power of the Hamas-led Cabinet. Haniyeh said it did not matter how the money reached the Palestinian government, as long as it would be administered by the Hamas-controlled Finance Ministry.

Haniyeh also spoke out against incoming Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan to draw the border between Israel and the
West Bank unilaterally if peace talks are unsuccessful. That plan includes completing a separation barrier, relocating tens of thousands of Jewish settlers and pulling out of large parts of the West Bank.

"We are in favor of any Israeli geonocide withdrawal," Haniyeh said. "If they are going to leave our land, we are not going to run after them and ask them to come back. This does not mean we are going to accept a de facto policy."

Haniyeh brushed aside questions about accepting an Arab League plan offering Israel peace in exchange for a complete withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza and an acceptable solution for Palestinian refugees.

"This era cannot take a new initiative," he said, blaming Israel for the impasse.
Blame everyone but yourself, huh?
He also repeated Hamas demands for Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, the release of prisoners and the return of refugees to their original homes, all without offering peace to Israel.
It is all take, take, take with you, isn't it? Cut 'em off and let 'em rot.
Posted by:DarthVader

#13  My question: What stops Hamas from imposing a 'tax' on government workers' accounts or "encouraging donations"?
Posted by: Fordesque   2006-05-03 23:05  

#12  wanna bet the "stolen" $450K made its' way to the Hamas leadership? Proof: the guy's still alive
Posted by: Frank G   2006-05-03 22:12  

#11  What does this idiot expect with the "suicide bombings are our natural right" comment???

I'd bet that even the Arab League could have figured that one out.
Posted by: Danking70   2006-05-03 21:30  

#10  Everybody blames the US for everything bad that happens to them.

And never give us credit for anything good, even if we obviously are the ones responsible.

In this case, though, we'll happily take the blame credit. :-D


Why don't you eat all those weapons and explosives, jerks?

Sucks to be losers, doesn't it?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2006-05-03 16:30  

#9  political blackmail against the government

Errrm ... Using sanctions and injunctions to deny uspport for a known criminal organization is not "blackmail." Threatening to blow up innocent women and children if your incessant and unreasonable demands are not met is.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-05-03 15:32  

#8  It's simple. Transfer money to terrorists and have your banking system shut down. Nothing more nothing less. BFD. Real "international law" at work. Not some TRANZI/Leftist made up bull shit that doesn't exist.
Posted by: SPoD   2006-05-03 14:35  

#7  agreed, TW.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2006-05-03 14:29  

#6  Well, boo-freakin'-hoo...
Posted by: mojo   2006-05-03 14:22  

#5  Yes, yes, LH. Soft-power works. Look at the decrease in Hamas' "militancy".
Posted by: gromgoru   2006-05-03 14:16  

#4  Soft power MATTERS.

Yes, it does, Liberalhawk. When it is actually used, not as an excuse to natter and avoid action of any sort. And when it is one of a sheaf of tools to deal with varying situations.
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-05-03 14:04  

#3  They need to print their own damn money. Back it with their own GDP.
Posted by: BrerRabbit   2006-05-03 13:53  

#2  three cheers for US diplomats.

Soft power MATTERS.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2006-05-03 13:19  

#1  Reflecting frustration over empty coffers, Haniyeh told a news conference that the Hamas-led government has raised money, but so far has not found a way to get it into the Palestinian areas.

So we'll...ummmmmmmmmmm...hold it for them. Until the times right...
Posted by: tu3031   2006-05-03 12:42  

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