Arab Parliament Speaker Mohamed Al-Yamahi condemned the Israeli Knesset's approval of a bill allowing broader seizure of Palestinian tax revenues, saying the move violates international law and signed agreements and reflects Israel's continued use of collective punishment against the Palestinian people, the Saudi Press Agency said on Wednesday. In a statement, Al-Yamahi said the continued withholding of Palestinian tax revenues constitutes a direct violation of the economic rights of the Palestinian people and a deliberate attempt to weaken the Palestinian National Authority and undermine its ability to fulfill its basic obligations. He called on the international community, the United Nations Security Council, and regional and international parliaments to take urgent action to pressure Israeli authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Palestinian tax funds. He also urged efforts to hold them accountable for repeated violations of international law and international legitimacy resolutions and to suspend the Knesset's participation in international parliamentary forums.
