UN Experts Call for an End to Israel’s Financial Control Over Palestinian Land

United Nations human rights experts have strongly condemned Israel’s economic restrictions on Palestinian territories, warning that the sustained financial control is severely undermining the livelihoods, autonomy, and development prospects of Palestinians. In a statement released today, the experts described the financial measures as a form of coercion that impacts essential services, freedom of movement, and the ability of the Palestinian Authority to function effectively.

The UN panel highlighted that Israel’s control over taxation, transfer of funds, and import-export restrictions has created a deeply entrenched dependency that limits the Palestinian government’s capacity to govern independently. These restrictions, they argued, exacerbate humanitarian challenges, deepen poverty, and fuel social instability across the West Bank and Gaza.

“The financial stranglehold imposed by Israel is unsustainable and must end immediately,” the experts said. “Palestinians must be allowed to access their own revenues, manage public services, and pursue economic development without undue interference.”

The experts also emphasized the international legal obligations of Israel under humanitarian and human rights law, urging the international community to take concerted action to ensure that financial and economic pressures are lifted, and that Palestinians can exercise their economic and social rights fully.

In addition to financial restrictions, the report pointed to broader systemic issues, including movement limitations and administrative hurdles that further undermine economic activity and access to critical healthcare and education services. UN officials called for urgent measures to address these restrictions and for sustained international monitoring of the situation.

Humanitarian organizations in the region have echoed these concerns, warning that continued economic strangulation threatens to escalate tensions and lead to further humanitarian crises. The UN experts concluded that without immediate action, the Palestinian population will continue to face severe economic and social hardships, deepening the cycle of dependency and conflict.