Israel’s Security Cabinet did something astonishing, and many in Israel think it is a welcome sign from. government many were nervous about. The Cabinet approved several measures to be implemented against the Palestinian Authority, following its appeal to the International Court of Justice in the Hague seeking examination of the "legality of the Israeli occupation."
Senior Israeli officials made it clear that from now on there will be a strong response to any act of "diplomatic terrorism" on the part of the Palestinian Authority, such as “Palestinian appeals to international organizations, like the one to ‘The Hague.’” Up until now, the Israeli government refrained from such actions out of fear of International Condemnation. However, this new government seems determined to confront Palestinian propaganda efforts meant to twist the narrative.
Despite the strong rhetoric though, the punitive measures that the cabinet decided on were not extremely harsh and were in line with the recommendation of the Israel Defense Forces and the Minister of Defense. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, ministers in the security cabinet demanded more radical measures, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignored them and decided that the cabinet would appoint a limited team who would decide on sanctions/policies put against the Palestinian Authority. The appointed team consists of Netanyahu himself, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.
NEW ISRAEL GOVERNMENT IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON THE PA
— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) January 7, 2023
A more action-oriented govt .
Just before Shabbat a set of sanctions on the Palestinian Authority was approved by the security cabinet.
It is reported that this is in part a response to PA's role in anti-Israel moves at the UN. pic.twitter.com/Spd2cXGgeX
The Biden Administration, who was informed of new sanctions, did not like the decisions but did not condemn Israel, publicly recognizing it could have taken far more drastic measures. The list of new policies that Israel will take, as stated in a statement on behalf of the Security Cabinet includes the transfer of approximately 139 million NIS from the Palestinian Authority's funds that will go to the victims of Palestinian terrorism; the offsetting of PA payments to terrorists and their families and discontinuation of construction plans for Palestinians in Area C "following illegal takeover attempts by the Palestinian Authority..” Area C under the Oslo accords is controlled by Israel and where most Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria are situated.
Actions will also be taken against organizations in Judea and Samaria that promote terrorism or any hostile activity, including political-legal legislation and appeals against Israel under the guise of humanitarian activity. Despite signing the Oslo accords, Palestinian leaders have always endorsed an armed resistance with the goal of turning Israel into Palestine. One reason given by Yasser Arafat for not accepting the Camp David agreement brokered by Bill Clinton was that it would create a Palestinian state, making it harder for the 'struggle to remove the Zionists from Arab land' without international condemnation.
Palestinian Authority initiates bogus claims at UN, Israel retaliates by putting conditions on PA, and Abbas and company whinge.
— Ari Ingel (@OGAride) January 8, 2023
https://t.co/T95cmTcF7u
It is noted in the cabinet’s statement that although the policies are considered harsh, they have no intention of dismantling the PA. In the meantime, as the policies are being implemented, Defense Minister Yoav Galant decided to revoke the entry permits to Israel from three senior Palestinian Authority officials who visited the home of a convicted terrorist, Karim Younes, after being released last week from a 40-year sentence. Younes picked up an Israeli hitchhiker in the Golan Height during the wintertime and despite the Israeli feeling he was in the company of decent people, he and his brother slaughtered him. Upon his release last week, Younes blatantly said he would gladly do it again.
Karim Younes, an Israeli Arab convicted of murdering IDF soldier Avraham Bromberg in the early 1980s, was released from prison after serving a 40-year-long sentence. Palestinian media present him as a national hero. Disgusting culture. #PalestinianCrimes pic.twitter.com/jbL4rPnq1O
— Eretz Israel (@EretzIsrael) January 6, 2023
Minister of Civil Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, Hussein Al-Sheikh, who is considered close to Abu Mazen, announced "All the measures announced by the occupation government, chief among them the continued theft of our money, will not deter us from our position in persecuting their government in international institutions and forums and exposing their policies against the Palestinian people."
