2006–2007 economic sanctions against the Palestinian National Authority

Blockade of the Gaza Strip
General Barrier • Crossings: Erez, Karni, Rafah • Tunnels • Goods affected • Israeli-Palestinian conflict
2000 Second Intifada
2006 Economic sanctions
2007 Battle of Gaza
2008 Breach of the Gaza–Egypt border • Gaza War
2009 Viva Palestina: "Lifeline to Gaza" • "Lifeline 3"
2010 Gaza flotilla raid (flotilla; ships: Mavi Marmara, Rachel Corrie; participants, reactions, legal, Turkel Commission (Israel), Gaza journey of MV Rachel Corrie) • Jewish Boat to Gaza • Viva Palestina "Lifeline 5" • Road to Hope
2011 Freedom Flotilla II (participants)

The 2006–2007 economic sanctions against the Palestinian National Authority were economic sanctions imposed by Israel and the Quartet on the Middle East against the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian territories following the January 2006 legislative elections that brought Hamas to power.[1]

The international sanctions were terminated in June 2007 following the Battle of Gaza, while at the same time a new and more severe blockade was initiated by Israel against Gaza.

Contents

Sanctions program

The sanctions consist of (1) withholding of tax revenues collected in the Palestinian territories by Israel[2], (2) cutoff of international aid to the Palestinian National Authority from the Quartet countries, (3) restrictions by Israel of movement within the Palestinian territories and of goods moving in and out, and (4) U.S. banking restrictions.

Israel and the Quartet said that sanctions would be lifted only when the Palestinian government has met the following demands:

Easing of West Bank sanctions

Following the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Israel and the Quartet countries eased some of the sanctions on the West Bank, in order to support the Fatah government, while at the same time tightening the blockade of the Gaza Strip, in order to put pressure on the Hamas administration.

Blockade of the Gaza Strip

On June 16, 2007, United States Consul-General Jacob Walles said that the U.S. was planning to lift the ban on direct aid to the emergency government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Similarly, the Quartet voiced support for Abbas and concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, though they did not announce any change in the ban on direct aid. Some Israeli officials said $300 to $400 million in Palestinian tax revenues may be returned to the Palestinian National Authority, short of the $700 million Abbas was seeking.[3] Indeed, on June 25, 2007, Israel agreed to transfer hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues it had seized to the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in order to support the Fatah government.[4]

See also

References

External links