Zuhdi Shubeitah
العربية

Archive

117 articles in “Finance & Banking” · 534 of 534 available in English (full Arabic archive)

  1. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicInvestments of the General Federation of Palestine Workers: Weak Governance and Limited DisclosureThe article examines a 2023 financial audit by the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) of the General Federation of Palestine Workers, highlighting shortcomings in governance, disclosure, investment planning, and management of assets and deposits.
  2. Finance & BankingTranslated from ArabicTrends in Deposits and Bank Credit in the First Half of 2026Preliminary data from the Palestine Monetary Authority show customer deposits rose to $23.179 billion and total credit facilities to $13.296 billion by end-June 2026. Banking activity remains concentrated in the West Bank while credit growth shifted toward the public sector; Gaza Strip deposits grew faster but credit to Gaza fell.
  3. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicWhen SAACB Observations Repeat for Ten Years: The Problem Is Implementation, Not OversightThe article examines State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) reports on the General Petroleum Corporation’s depot inventories and financial controls (2016–2025), highlighting recurring measurement, reconciliation, indebtedness, and reporting issues and weak follow-up on recommendations.
  4. The Palestinian Economy in FiguresTranslated from ArabicWhen Currency Becomes a Tool of Political PressureThe article examines the shekel (ILS) surplus crisis in Palestine under the Paris Protocol: how large accumulations of shekel (ILS) in Palestinian banks reflect limited monetary sovereignty and have turned the currency into a tool of economic and political pressure.
  5. Finance & BankingTranslated from ArabicPensioners, Orphans, and Widows versus the Banks: The Financial History of Palestine (1917–1948)Examines how ordinary Palestinians—pensioners, orphans, widows, merchants and bondholders—had bank accounts, bonds, pensions, salaries and deposits frozen or seized amid the regime changes of 1917 and 1948.
  6. Finance & BankingTranslated from ArabicBankrupt: Financial Life in Palestine in the Late Mandate EraThe article examines Palestinian financial and economic life from 1930 to 1948 by tracing the experiences of the Arab Bank and the Arab Land Bank, founded by Abdul-Hamid Shoman, and how debt, land, colonial policies, and politics affected them.
  7. Finance & BankingTranslated from ArabicPalestinian Banking under Pressure: Apparent Growth and Structural Imbalances in Deposits and FacilitiesUsing Palestine Monetary Authority data for 2023–2025 and early 2026, the article examines stable aggregate deposit growth alongside pronounced geographic concentration in the West Bank, a rise in public-sector financing, and declining shares for productive sectors and Gaza.
  8. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicTransparency in the Investments of the Palestinian Pension Authority Fund, 2025This article reviews AMAN’s 2025 report assessing transparency and disclosure in the management of the Palestinian Pension Authority’s investment fund, noting gaps in published reports, investment policy, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and risks tied to irregular government transfers and Ministry of Finance debt.
  9. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicAdministrative and Financial Shortcomings Threaten Effectiveness of Development ProgramsThe article reviews the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) audit of the Palestinian Employment Fund's 2021 activities, outlining major administrative and financial findings and the Bureau's recommendations and the Fund's response.
  10. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicMaterial Deficiencies in Governance and ManagementThe State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) audited the Nablus Central Zakat Committee's 2023 operations, finding major weaknesses in governance, financial controls, procurement, payroll, asset management, and recordkeeping across its affiliated projects.
  11. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicExecution Trust Accounts at the Ramallah Shari'a Court, Year Ended 2023This article examines the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) audit findings on the Execution Department trusts at the Ramallah Shari'a Court for the year ended 2023, and summarizes similar weaknesses found in a 2022 audit of regular courts' trusts at the Ramallah Court (Supreme Judicial Council).
  12. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicBlack Holes in Public Finance: Uses of Public Money — Ministry of Finance and Planning in PalestineThe article reviews State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) reports documenting recurring gaps in management of public funds, weak disclosure, and repeated reservations about the Ministry of Finance’s preparation of financial statements and implementation of the general budget.
  13. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicBank of Independence for Palestinian Investment and Development — It Didn’t Last LongThe article examines the bank’s establishment by Decree-Law No. 5 of 2021 and its liquidation by Decree-Law No. 14 of 2024, the liquidation instructions for the Ministry of Finance and the Palestine Monetary Authority, and the bank’s stated mandate and governance structure.
  14. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicOperations of the Institution for the Management and Development of Orphans’ Funds for 2020This article examines the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) findings from its 2023 audit of the Institution for the Management and Development of Orphans’ Funds for 2020, detailing financial, administrative, and compliance weaknesses and specific observations.
  15. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicReport on the Investments of the Palestinian Fund for Compensating Road Accident VictimsExamines findings from the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) 2023 report on the Palestinian Fund for Compensating Road Accident Victims, highlighting investment concentration in deposits and bonds, a large loan exposure, and gaps in investment policy and procedures.
  16. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicReport: Bank al-Istiqlal for Investment and Development — 2022This article summarizes findings from the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB) annual report on Bank al-Istiqlal for 2022, outlining the bank’s profile and identified governance, licensing, and financial compliance issues during its establishment.
  17. Finance & BankingTranslated from ArabicWhat’s Behind Egypt Receiving an Additional $5 Billion Loan? Was It Orchestrated in Secret?The article examines Egypt’s rapid agreement with the IMF that added $5 billion to a prior $3 billion facility, bringing the total to $8 billion, and its timing amid the Gaza Strip war and a sudden float of the Egyptian pound.
  18. The Palestinian Economy in FiguresTranslated from ArabicEffects of the Israeli genocidal war in the Gaza Strip on customer deposits at Palestinian banksThe article examines Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) statistics for 2023 and preliminary January 2024 data on customers' deposits and banking facilities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including governorate shares and sectoral changes in lending.
  19. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicVehicle Customs Revenues at the Ministry of Finance (1-1-2020 to 25-4-2022)Examines a fraud case in the Vehicle Customs Department at the Ministry of Finance discovered in 2022, audited by the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB), including findings on weak internal controls, manipulated bank slips, partial recovery of funds, and recommended reforms.
  20. Oversight & AccountabilityTranslated from ArabicInventory of the Public Petroleum Authority’s Warehouses in Palestine, End of 2021Examines the SAACB’s review of the Public Petroleum Authority’s fuel and gas warehouse inventory at the end of 2021, highlighting balance discrepancies, lack of document auditing, recurring noncompliance with SAACB recommendations, and potential impacts on financial accuracy.
  21. Finance & BankingTranslated from ArabicWhere Did Public Responsibility Centers' Expenditures in Palestine Go in 2022?The article examines the distribution of Palestine's public expenditures for 2022 (accrual basis), showing shares by sector and by responsibility centers—notably the shares for the governance and social sectors and major allocations to the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Interior and National Security, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
  22. The Palestinian Economy in FiguresTranslated from ArabicA Meager Palestinian EconomyExamines monthly financial figures from the Ministry of Finance showing heavy reliance on taxes—notably clearance revenues—substantial net lending, limited investment returns, and rising public debt.
  23. Finance & BankingTranslated from ArabicRevenues of the Palestinian National AuthorityThis article examines the composition and amounts of the Palestinian National Authority’s revenues through April 2023, showing the share of net tax, non-tax fees, and investment returns and comparing 2023 figures with 2022 and 2021.
  24. Finance & BankingTranslated from ArabicThe Impact of US Interest Rate Hikes on Borrowers and Depositors in PalestineThe article examines how US Federal Reserve interest rate increases since early 2022 affected borrowers and depositors in Palestine, using Palestine Monetary Authority statistics through April 2023. It compares interest rates, loan values by currency, sectoral lending, and deposit trends.
  25. The Palestinian Economy in FiguresTranslated from ArabicThe impact of U.S. interest rate hikes on borrowers and depositors in PalestineThe article examines how increases in U.S. interest rates affect banks, borrowers and depositors in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, where transactions use the shekel (ILS), U.S. dollar and Jordanian dinar. It discusses effects on loan costs, government debt servicing and private-sector activity.