Mohammed Rashid, the former right-hand man and economic adviser to former Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, is accusing Mahmoud Abbas' Palestinian Authority of providing financial support to Arab parties in the Knesset. Rashid, who resides in London, is regarded as one of the world's most affluent Palestinians. He made these remarks in an interview with the Al Arabiya satellite network. The interview was conducted after the Palestinian Authority announced on Wednesday that he is being sought for interrogation in Ramallah on suspicion of involvement in corruption and the embezzlement of tens of millions of dollars in public funds. An international arrest warrant has even been issued for Rashid at the Palestinians' request. "Abbas would take millions of dollars from the Palestinian Authority and from the Palestinian private sector in order to send money to fund Arab parties that competed in Israel's Knesset elections," Rashid accused. However, he refused to say which Israeli elections were involved or to name the parties he claims received Palestinian money. During the interview, Rashid launched a scathing attack against Abbas and his sons. He suggested that an investigation be launched into how they acquired their wealth. "I am not afraid of any cross-examination," Rashid said. "We have to investigate how Abbas and his family managed to sell land that belonged to Palestinians and direct tens of millions of dollars into their pockets," Rashid said. "The corrupt ones are Abbas and his cronies."
