Smotrich holds back NIS 100m. from Palestinians

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has signed an order doubling the sum Israel deducts from the Palestinian Authority tax fees to protest its policy of providing financial stipends to terrorists, known in Israel as “pay for slay.”

“[On Wednesday], I signed an order doubling the amount,” he said in a notice he sent out to the press on Thursday morning, explaining why NIS 100 million was withheld.

“The PA finances terrorists, and the State of Israel is saying, ‘Enough,’” Smotrich said.

“Israeli citizens will not be part of the farce,” he added.

The move came one day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to take any steps that would weaken the PA.

The move was in line with the security cabinet’s decision last week to increase the deductions that Israel takes from the tax fees that Israel collects on behalf of the PA and then transfers to it.

Israel took that step to protest the PA’s successful push at the United Nations, which ended in the submission of a request that the International Court of Justice render an advisory opinion on the legality of Israel’s occupation.

But it also used that moment to underscore its opposition to the PA’s practice of providing monthly stipends to terrorists and their family members.

Aside from doubling the reduction of that sum from the tax fees, Netanyahu’s new government has also pursued legislation that would allow it to expel any Israeli citizen or resident who accepts those fees.

Smotrich also deducted from the tax fees NIS 200,000 that will be transferred to bereaved Israeli families who lost loved ones in terrorist attacks. The move was based both on the security cabinet’s decision and a court ruling.