Today (Thursday), Energy Minister and security cabinet member Yisrael Katz addressed the issue of tax money collected by Israel for the Palestinian Authority and meant for the Gaza Strip, writing that what was will no longer be.
In a tweet he wrote on X, Minister Katz said “Israel will not allow the Authority to transfer money to Hamas terrorists in Gaza. The sum meant for Gaza from the tax payments will be entirely deducted. What was, will no longer be.”
Yesterday, Minister Gallant told reporters that funds for the PA should be transferred immediately so its forces can help fight terrorism, and that the cabinet decision in this matter should be carried out.
In response, Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich issued a statement saying “I appreciate the Defense Minister and support his working night and day for Israeli security. His position in favor of transferring funds to the PA is a serious error.”
According to Smotrich, “I don’t intend to let the State of Israel fund our enemies in Judea and Samaria who support Hamas terrorism and who fund the terrorists of October 7 who murdered and massacred us. The Palestinian Authority is not the solution – it is part of the problem. We don’t repeat mistakes and preconceptions which blew up in our face!”