Abbas: Israel tax freeze affects political and security situation in Palestine

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel’s freeze of Palestinian tax revenues affects the security, political and financial stability of Palestine.

In an exclusive statement to the Anadolu Agency following his meeting with Minister President of Flanders Geert Bourgeois, Abbas said the meeting discussed “the political process and negotiations as well as the Israeli settlements which devour Palestinian lands”.

Abbas said he pointed out to the Belgian senior official “the seriousness of Israel’s insurgency and the importance of releasing Palestinian tax revenues”.

The Palestinians will submit their file to the international criminal in April, Abbas said, adding that he sensed real support from the Belgian official.

Abbas issued a decree earlier forming a supreme national committee entrusted with coordinating with the International Criminal Court which is widely seen as an important step to prosecute Israel for its crimes against the Palestinian people.

Palestinians are expected to get their full membership at the ICC in April which will enable them to prosecute Israeli officials for crimes against them.

President Abbas’s visit to Belgium comes after the Belgian Parliament called on the government to recognise the State of Palestine, at a time when pressure on the Israelis and Palestinians is growing to resume peace negotiations.

Israel stopped transferring Palestinian tax revenues as punishment for the Palestinian Authority’s request to join international treaties, especially the International Court in The Hague.