Palestinian prime minister linked to sale of concrete for Israeli separation wall

Published February 11th, 2004 - 03:00 GMT

Palestinian officials have denied claims that a cement company owned by the family of Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has been providing materials for the construction of the controversial separation wall.

Israel’s Channel 10 TV reported Tuesday that Al-Quds Cement Company has allegedly been selling concrete to Jewish settlements in the West Bank and materials to help build the West Bank wall, a barrier that will cut some 680,000 Palestinians off from jobs and services. A parliamentary committee has been commissioned with investigating the claims.

An unnamed Palestinian official said there is “evidence” that the Qurei-owned company was selling cement to Ma’aleh Adumim, one of the largest Jewish settlements in the West Bank, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. He said that Prime Minister Qurei, also known as Abu Ala, transferred ownership of the company to another family member just a few months ago. Abu Ala is currently in Europe and unavailable for comment.

The Israeli government began construction work on the controversial separation wall last year in an attempt to prevent suicide bombers from entering the country from the West Bank. When completed, the barrier is forecasted to extend the entire length of the West Bank, consisting of a series of fences, walls, ditches, patrol roads and electronic surveillance devices. — (menareport.com)