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<font size=5 color="#FF0000"><b>Two articles follow!<br><br>
</font><font size=3>Israeli forces steal millions from Palestinian
currency exchange shops and banks<br><br>
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</a>(West Bank) Palestine News Network <br>
Wednesday, 20 September 2006 <br><br>
Israeli forces broke into Palestinian currency exchange shops and banks
throughout the West Bank Wednesday morning, taking money and computers.
While Israeli forces invaded Jenin Refugee Camp with 30 military
vehicles, other Israeli soldiers stole over one million shekels from a
currency exchange shop in Jenin City. <br><br>
Official Palestinian security sources report that Israeli forces besieged
several neighborhoods, including the Old City, Al Sibat and Sayyadiin,
culminating in an assault on the refugee camp. At the same time the theft
was underway. <br><br>
An Israeli military spokesperson said today the raids on 24 exchange
shops and banks throughout the West Bank in Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarem and
Ramallah, were conducted under the pretext that “terrorist” organizations
abroad are funding Palestinian organizations in the West Bank.<br>
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Mohamed Nassar, of the Foundation for Exchange, told PNN that soldiers
forced him from his home amid heavy guard to his office. Israeli soldiers
destroyed the gate and "took everything," a sum of one million
and one hundred thousand shekels. <br><br>
Soldiers also stormed Jenin’s Exchange for Dreamers, owned by Sa’ed Abu
Marar. The exchange shop’s manager, Hussein Younis Abu Marar, reported
that Israeli forces confiscated the contents, including the money and
computers. <br><br>
In Nablus Israeli forces broke into a bank and five exchange shops,
robbing them of large sums of money and arresting an employee in one of
the shops. He was 40 year old Ghaleb Swedan. <br><br>
Palestinian security sources said that tens of military vehicles stormed
the National Bank in the city center near the cinema. The five exchange
shops are also in Nablus’ center. In the Alian Exchange Israeli soldiers
started the furniture on fire and stole tens of thousands of Jordanian
dinars. <br><br>
Nablus’ Mayor reported that fire crews arrived at the shops to put out
fires and bring officials to preserve what remains of the contents. As
not all stores were burnt, there are some with in-tact contents.
<br><br>
Before Israeli forces began robbing the northern West Bank of its funds
this morning, they invaded the Nablus District’s Al Ein Refugee Camp and
exchanged fire with members of the armed resistance. <br><br>
To the southwest in Tulkarem, Israeli forces confiscated computers and
large sums of money from local banks and currency exchange shops. They
also arrested three citizens: Ibrahim Abu Hasib and his cousin Qasim, and
Kamal Dhiab. <br><br>
In Ramallah City Israeli forces stole money from several banks, including
all funds available at the city’s largest. <br><br>
<b>Hamas: Theft in financial institutions part of Israeli policy of siege
and starvation<br>
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(Nablus) Amin Abu Wardeh <br>
Wednesday, 20 September 2006 <br><br>
Hamas leadership member Khalid Al Haj told PNN Wednesday that this
morning’s assault on West Bank financial institutions is part of the
“rabid Israeli occupation army’s campaign and government policy of
starving the Palestinian people.” <br><br>
Al Haj equated the raids with “obtaining free concessions by blackmailing
starving people,” while commenting on the ongoing political and financial
blockade that has left the Palestinian economy in shambles. <br><br>
The Hamas leader continued to say that destroying the economy piece by
piece “reveals how the arrogant occupiers are trying to starve the
Palestinian people, stop all hope of economic independence and
sustainability, and put an end to the steadfastness that the Palestinian
people have shown in protecting their land.” <br><br>
Al Haj pointed out that property theft is a crime, regardless of the
claim. He said that stripping the occupied population of their
livelihoods, in the fields, factories, or professions, is a flagrant
violation of international norms and charters. <br><br>
The Hamas leader called for international prosecution of occupation
crimes and compensation for the losses the Palestinian people have
suffered. <br><br>
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(415) 863-9977<br>
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