Israeli Defense Minister Freezes Sanctions against Palestinian Banks
Arab World
Ramallah - Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz delayed the implementation of a military decree that would sanction banks in the West Bank for dispensing stipends to Palestinian prisoners and households. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Gantz signed earlier this week an extension of freezing the implementation of the order. The newspaper reported that the families of those killed in Palestinian operations are exerting pressure on the Israeli army to implement the law against terrorism, which was passed in the West Bank in 2016. The families of the killed Israelis said: “It’s illogical and immoral that Israel is helping the Palestinian Authority (PA) pay blood money as salaries to terrorists.” Former Israeli military prosecutor in the occupied West Bank, attorney Maurice Hirsch commented on Gantz's decision, saying that it is a "flagrant mistake" and that it "encouraged the PA to back terrorism". He stated that instead of freezing fees, Gantz should have ordered the Defense Ministry to carry out effective steps and seize the “terrorism funds”. Former Defense Minister Naftali Bennett signed in February a decree that allows the confiscation of Palestinian prisoners’ properties and funds, which are paid through Palestinian banks. The banks yielded to Israeli threats and implemented the order, sparking a deep Palestinian dispute. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh later announced that an agreement had been reached with the banks to halt any operations regarding the accounts of Palestinian prisoners. He also rejected the Israeli threats to banks.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2402236/israeli-defense-minister-freezes-sanctions-against-palestinian-banks
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