Abbas: The Palestinian Authority Will Take the Freezing of Funds to International Courts

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that the Palestinian National Authority will raise the issue of Israel freezing Palestinian funds to international institutions and courts if it refuses to return them. In an interview with "Sputnik" agency, he stated: "Israel is siphoning millions from the taxes it collects on our behalf for a fee, which is a right of the Palestinian people according to the Paris Protocol." He added: "Freezing these funds is a violation of international law that we will not remain silent about, and it has resulted in a major financial and economic crisis, especially concerning our ability to meet the Palestinian government's obligations to our people." He continued: "We have called on countries around the world, especially the United States, to pressure the occupying government to release the frozen Palestinian funds, and we will raise this issue with international institutions and courts if Israel refuses to return these funds in accordance with the signed agreements."