Israel readies bill cutting Palestinian funding over 'terror'
The bill was drafted under the leadership of Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman
Israeli lawmakers today gave a nod to a bill that will withhold tax collected for the Palestinian Authority.
The bill was drafted under the leadership of Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The bill is now all set to be sent to parliament to be passed as a law.
"Soon there will be an end to this theatre of absurd," Lieberman wrote in Hebrew on Twitter.
He also added that the money confiscated would be used to ward off terror and compensate victims.
An annual report of payments made to "terror activists" by the Palestinian Authority will be also be presented by Lieberman.
"Based on the report, the sum will be deducted from payments handed from Israel to the Palestinian Authority," AFP reported.
The bill is likely to be debated in the Israeli parliament. Israel's move has been condemned by the Palestinian government who called it an instance of "piracy and theft" as well as a breach of international law.
A total sum of around $127 million is recovered in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets. These commodities transit through Israeli ports.
The US Senate also considers a bill approved by the House of Representatives to withhold aid to the PA if it does not stop the controversial practice of so-called martyr payments to families of Palestinians convicted of terrorist attacks.
(With inputs from AFP)