Israel has declared the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s main financial body a terrorist organisation.
The fund makes monthly payments to about 35,000 families of Palestinians killed and wounded in its conflict with Israel, including suicide bombers and other militants who targeted civilians and soldiers.
“The decision to declare the fund a terrorist organisation stems from its continuing and ongoing activity in providing massive support for elements responsible for committing severe acts of terrorism against Israel,” Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said yesterday. “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 Palestinian National Fund’s main offices are in Jordan, and it was not clear how the measures would be implemented.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the move, which came after US envoy Jason Greenblatt wrapped up several days of meetings with both sides aimed at reviving the peace process, which last collapsed in 2014.
Mr Abbas called it “an Israeli attempt to obstruct and sabotage US efforts” to relaunch peace talks. He said it is a “fundamental violation” of interim agreements signed between the PLO and Israel two decades ago, and called on “all countries of the world to reject this declaration to preserve the agreement”.
Read the full article by AP at The Australian.