Whistleblower Protection in Finance Industry Under Siege in Occupied Palestinian Territory

Economic Crisis Looms Over Palestinian Authority

One year after Israel’s withholding of customs payments and a change in policy by Western donors, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is facing an unprecedented economic crisis. The financial siege imposed on the PA has led to a decline in economic stability and institutional degradation, according to Karim Nashashibi, former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Loss of Transparency and Accountability

Nashashibi’s report highlights the loss of transparency and accountability within the PA, which he attributes to the establishment of parallel payment mechanisms, including the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM). He argues that this has caused a reversal in progress made over a decade of reforms and capacity building.

Humanitarian Impact of Financial Crisis

A recent field research study by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reveals the devastating humanitarian impact of the financial crisis on communities and PA employees. The study, which conducted interviews with PA employees in Jenin, found that many have not received full salaries for over a year, leading to widespread resentment towards their forced return to dependency on welfare.

Whistleblowers Demand Greater Transparency

Despite the challenges facing the finance industry, whistleblowers within the PA are calling for greater transparency and accountability to address the crisis. They demand a return to fully salaried work and the restoration of basic services provided by the PA. The case highlights the urgent need for whistleblower protection in the finance industry in occupied Palestinian territory, where employees and communities are struggling to access basic necessities.

Call to Action

As Nashashibi’s report suggests, the financial siege has had far-reaching consequences, leading to a reversal in progress made over a decade. Whistleblowers within the PA must be protected from retaliation to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed. The international community must also take responsibility for its role in perpetuating the crisis by supporting parallel payment mechanisms.

Conclusion

The PA’s financial woes serve as a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency, accountability, and protection for whistleblowers within the finance industry. As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial that efforts are made to support those affected and ensure that the voices of whistleblowers are heard.