Netanyahu Scoffs at Hamas ‘protection’ racket

Prime minister Netanyahu flatly rejected Hamas’ ultimatum for $15 million a month in exchange for quiet on the border.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

In Sunday’s Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that Israel would not pay a cent for achieving quiet for the Gaza-belt communities, as had been demanded the day before by the Hamas terrorist organization.

“Yesterday it was reported that there is supposedly an ultimatum for Israel by Hamas,” Netanyahu said. “At no stage will Israel accept any ultimatum from Hamas and will continue to act in accordance with Israeli interests and for Israel’s security.”

According to Hadashot news Saturday, Hamas leader Yihyeh Sinwar had passed Israel a message via the Egyptians in which he threatened that unless Israel passes on $15 million in cash to the terrorist government each month, the violence it orders at the border fence would grow still worse.

The requested sum had until now been transferred by the Palestinian Authority to pay salaries in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip in a supervised manner.

Ongoing violence

Some 16,000 Palestinians protested at the fence this past Friday, the norm for the last several weeks. Mass riots at the border began March 30, with activities including throwing rocks and firebombs, burning tires and infiltrating into Israel to damage military outposts and equipment.

Hamas activists have also hit Israel with thousands of airborne incendiary devices such as balloons and kites, destroying thousands of acres of farmland and nature preserves.