|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12103/palestinian-authority-corruption
The Secret World of the Palestinian Authority
(Gatestone Institute) Bassam Tawil - A report published last week in Ramallah by the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN), established in 2000 by a number of civil society organizations, offers a rare glance into the secret world of the Palestinian Authority. Entitled "Integrity and Combating Corruption: Palestine 2017," the report discussed the $17.5 million "presidential palace" for Mahmoud Abbas built on a hilltop on the outskirts of Ramallah, calling it "the epitome of misuse of public funds as well as a bad example of lack of prioritization...given the urgent need to finance vital services such as health and education." Another PA practice of squandering public money involves paying the salaries and expenses of a non-existent airline called "Palestine Airlines." "Hundreds of employees of this company continue to receive salaries and allowances from the Palestinian Authority." The report also notes that members of the Palestinian Legislative Council also benefit from monthly salaries, despite the parliament having been paralyzed for more than a decade as a result of the dispute between Abbas' ruling Fatah faction and Hamas.