Ramallah – The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) called on relevant authorities to take expedited action and refer the case of the certificates of origin of settlement-produced dates to competent courts. AMAN demanded that all persons explicitly or implicitly implicated in this case be presented for trial before relevant judicial bodies, particularly the Corruption Crimes Court. This file clearly involves suspicions of corruption, where capital has joined forces with public responsibility and office.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh, based on available information, AMAN confirmed that Palestinian companies suspected of packaging dates produced on Palestinian land seized by the Israeli occupying authorities were in violation of the Law by Decree No. 4 of 2010 on the Prohibition and Combating of Settlement Products. Contrary to the effective Palestinian Anti-Corruption Law, these companies did so by offering civil servants bribery-tainted financial and moral benefits. Hence, implicated companies and relevant managers should not only be prosecuted as accomplices in corruption crimes, but also as perpetrators of economic crimes. This action should strengthen prosecution and incrimination of the real owners and managers of the concerned companies for committing these crimes, which adversely impact all economic, political, national and administrative activities.
In its letter, AMAN indicated that delay in the prosecution of these serious crimes will create a sense among the general Palestinian public, and farmers and private sector in particular, that the Law by Decree No. 2010 on the Prohibition and Combating of Settlement Products is not enforced and that perpetrators enjoy impunity.
It should be noted that AMAN is closely following up on the case of settlement-produced dates, which the Coalition reported almost 20 months ago. Then, the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission opened an investigation into the case. AMAN stresses the seriousness of these crimes, which jeopardise economic, political and national security of Palestinian society. AMAN also notes the severe consequences of these practices on the perseverance of farmers across the Jordan Valley.
