PA President Mahmoud Abbas welcomes released Palestinian prisoners and convicted terrorists to Ramallah, Oct. 30, 2013. (AP/Majdi Mohammed/File)
Israel declared the “Palestinian National Fund” a terrorist organization because it encourages violence against civilians.
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman declared the “Palestinian National Fund” a terrorist organization on Thursday.
Liberman acted in accordance with his authority under Article 3 of the 2016 Fight Against Terrorism Law.
“The decision to declare the fund a terrorist organization stems from its continuing and ongoing activity in providing massive support for elements responsible for committing severe acts of terrorism against Israel,” the Defense Ministry stated.
The Palestinian National Fund, headed by Ramzi Elias Yousef Khouri, a senior Palestinian official, serves as a significant financial pipeline for tens of millions of shekels transferred on a monthly basis to security prisoners held in Israel for committing acts of terrorism and to members of their families.
In accordance with Palestinian practice, the longer the sentence given to the incarcerated terrorist, the greater the payments are to the prisoner and his family.
The fund also supports family members of terrorists who were wounded and killed while perpetrating acts of terrorism against Israel.
Israel argues such family stipends reward terrorism and has stepped up a campaign against such funding.
“As of today, all necessary actions will be taken in Israel and overseas in order to seize and confiscate property and assets designated for, or belonging to, the fund, the Defense Ministry stated. “The security services will continue to take strong action against all bodies that support terrorism against the State of Israel”
“Terror has become a comfortable business for families,” said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon in July. “This encourages violence.”
By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News
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