PA threatens ‘fateful’ measures in response to new Israeli law

The Palestinian Authority threatened on Tuesday to take “fateful” measures in response to a new Israeli law which will enforce the deduction of the “salaries” paid by the PA to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and former prisoners, from the tax revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the authority, Quds Press has reported.

The PA described such a move as “theft” and “piracy” and warned that its response would change the “status of the current relations” with the Israeli occupation authorities. A spokesman for the PA Presidency, Nabeel Abu Rudeineh, rejected the Israeli law and said that it undermines relations between the PA and Israel which started with the signing of the Oslo Accords.

“If this dangerous law is enforced,” said Abu Rudeineh, “it will push the PA to take important decisions in response.” Israel, he insisted, will have crossed a red line. “This law is regarded as a declaration of war on the Palestinians and their fighters, prisoners and martyrs who fought for their freedom, for Jerusalem and the establishment of the independent Palestinian state.”

The spokesman hinted that the law might also have repercussions at other levels, including at the International Criminal Court and US Security Council. The Palestinian leadership, he added, will study the measures to be taken by the PA when the PLO Central Council meets.

PA: Israel law freezing funds ‘declaration of war’