Israel to confiscate 'welfare funds' from Palestine's tax revenue

The Israeli government will approve a law to confiscate funds allocated by the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Palestinians it claims are involved in attacks against Israeli targets, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.

Israel collects tariffs and duties on behalf of the Ramallah-based PA under 1994 Oslo Accords

“Next Sunday, I will convene the security cabinet and we will make the necessary decision to offset the funds,” Netanyahu said during the weekly cabinet meeting.

“The money will be deducted, no one should have any doubt about it,” he said.

Last week, the PA threatened not to accept the money if Israel deducts any funds.

In July, the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) passed legislation requiring the Defence Ministry to inform the security cabinet of how much the PA pays in “welfare” payments to Palestinians involved in attacks against Israeli targets.

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