In a strongly-worded statement, a resident committee from Jenin refugee camp has accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) of misappropriating over $180 million, which had been earmarked for the reconstruction of the camp following Operation "Bayit VeGan." The committee alleges that despite claims from the PA that the funds were collected for the camp's rehabilitation, none of the donations have reached the intended recipients, even more than two months after the operation.
The committee's statement pulls no punches, explicitly alleging corruption at the highest levels of the Palestinian Authority. "Despite official confirmations that large sums were collected from various domestic and international donors for the benefit of the camp, it is with deep regret that we announce that not a single dollar from these collections has reached our community," the statement read. The committee went on to claim that they possess documented evidence and have received hollow promises from senior government officials assuring a rapid rehabilitation process—promises that have amounted to nothing thus far.
My first meeting with the Palestinian #Jenin camp reconstruction committee. A lot of work is required and coordinating efforts in critical. I thank🙏UAE🇦🇪 for their $15m contribution and Japan for $1m contribution to #PalestinRefugees in #Jenin camp. pic.twitter.com/kEYT6aUA95
— Adam Bouloukos (@BouloukosUN) September 1, 2023
The statement also included an ultimatum. The committee warned that it would not remain passive but would actively demand the rights and welfare of the victims. They threatened to initiate a strike in the refugee camp and disclose the details of the misappropriation to all the donors, asking for accountability on the whereabouts of the funds.
This accusation comes despite earlier commitments from the PA. On July 10, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced the establishment of a "technical committee for the rehabilitation of the city of Jenin and its camp, located in the northern West Bank." Shtayyeh emphasized ongoing government oversight, stating that the committee would spearhead the rehabilitation efforts in coordination with UNRWA and other Palestinian bodies and institutions active in Jenin.
Kleptocracy can catch up with you. The Palestinian Authority discussing declaring itself bankrupt due to its difficult financial situation. And no, they haven’t cut funding to terrorists who are paid through the PA’s “martyrs fund” in violation of US law.https://t.co/6Pipl3aIVA
— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) June 28, 2023
The news of the PA's alleged failure to deliver on its promises is particularly troubling given the ongoing security concerns in the area. Israeli Defense Force (IDF) officials have indicated their growing concern that they may soon be forced to intervene in the Jenin refugee camp again due to the PA's inaction.
As context, Operation "Bayit VeGan" had ended successfully, resulting in the seizure of about 1,000 loads and the arrest of more than 100 individuals wanted for various crimes. Following the operation, the IDF had withdrawn, explicitly indicating that they would cease operations in the camp to allow the Palestinian Authority an opportunity to restore law and order—a task that appears, based on these allegations, to have been egregiously neglected.
Of course the UK government response is "to raise their concerns at the highest level "- and keep paying anyway, most of which then ends up in the corrupt kleptocracy called the Palestinian Authority https://t.co/yRgYJvYkPS
— Micah (@micahl) August 26, 2022
The committee's allegations and the purported failure of the PA not only underscore the challenges in governance and corruption but also throw into sharp relief the pressing issues concerning the effective management of donor funds in conflict zones. This serves as yet another chapter in the complex narrative of Israeli-Palestinian relations, where inefficiency and alleged corruption can significantly impact the lives of those residing in the tinderbox that is the West Bank.
