ISRAEL CAMPAIGN BOYCOTT ONGOING

Nablus, 10 Jumadal Akhir 1436/30 March 2015 (MINA) – The Ramallah-based Palestinian National Office for the defense of land and the resistance of settlement said on Sunday (29/3) Israel’s decision to resume tax transfers to the Palestinian Authority (PA) will not affect its promotion of the boycott-of-Israel campaign.

The office said in a statement a campaign for boycotting Israeli products has been underway despite Israel’s decision to release frozen tax funds, adding that a new series of Israeli items is to be blacklisted by the campaigners sometime soon, Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The statement hailed the decision issued by the doctors’ syndicate binding all Palestinian members to boycott Israeli medicines to keep in line with the spirit of the campaign.

The office said the campaign is never dependent on decisions to either release or withhold Palestinian tax transfers, adding that it rather aims to sever all ties with the Israeli occupation in keeping with the moves lately announced by the PLO Central Council.

Israel had been withholding the tax transfers it collects for the cash-strapped government of the PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas as a collective punishment policy acted in retaliation for Palestinians’ application to join the ICC – a move potentially paving the way for a war crimes investigation of Israel.

The Israeli government decided to resume tax transfers a couple of days ago, following the recommendations of the army and the Shabak apparatuses for fear of escalated tension in the West Bank. (T/P006/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)