Israel passes law to deduct Palestinian prisoners' defence fees from funds due to PA

This picture shows a general view of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) during a meeting, in Jerusalem on 30 June, 2022 [MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images]

The Knesset yesterday approved a bill allowing for legal defence fees for Palestinian detainees held after 7 October 2023 to be deducted from the Palestinian Authority tax funds held by Israel, the Times of Israel reported.

The Israeli Knesset has approved in its second and third readings the bill that prohibits the Israeli government from funding legal fees for court-appointed lawyers when representing suspects, defendants, or convicts accused of participating in combat against the Israeli occupation army since 7 October 2023.

The bill, introduced by Knesset member Simcha Rothman from the Religious Zionism Party and other Knesset members, was supported by 26 members of the Constitution Committee and opposed by four.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: “Israeli citizens will not fund the legal defense for such disgusting enemies.”

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