Israel blackmails the palestinians

[Nfoukh]

ISRAEL BLACKMAILS THE PALESTINIANS
Israel is threatening to kill off a crucial Palestinian economical project in the West Bank unless the Palestinian Authority withdraws a request to the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged Israeli crimes committed during last winter’s Gaza war.
Shalom Kital, an aide to the defence minister Ehud barak, said that Israel will not release a share of the radio spectrum long sought by the Palestinian Authority to enable the launch of a second mobile communications company unless the Authority drops its efforts to put Israelis in the dock
“It’s a condition. We are saying to the Palestinians if you want a normal life, you must stop these embarrassing charges”. Mr Kital said.
As long as the communications company WATANIYA is unable to begin its operations, the costs to the Palestinians will remain inordinately high, benefiting four unauthorised and highly profitable Israeli operators.
The Qatari-owned Wataniya had begun making the second largest private investment in West Bank history, worth $700m, but if it misses its launch date of 15 October, it may close down the operation and seek the return of its $140m licensing fee from the PA.
“This is sheer blackmail by Israel”, said Nabil Shaath, the former PA foreign minister. “Israel has stolen the frequencies in the first place and it is using them as blackmail to escape an international enquiry into its violations”.
The Middle East Envoy, Tony Blair urged Israel to release the frequencies, but Mr Kital said that Mr Blair “is very aware” that there will be no release unless the Palestinians drop their request.