Israeli Finance Minister’s Proposal for Palestinian Authority

Israeli Minister’s Proposal for Palestinian Authority

Israeli officials revealed on Friday that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his far-right views, has tentatively agreed to release frozen funds to the financially struggling Palestinian Authority in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The agreement is said to be contingent on the condition of strengthening Israeli settlements in the territory.

Background: Smotrich aims to weaken the Palestinian Authority, which governs certain areas in the West Bank under Israeli military control, and advocates for permanent Israeli rule over the territory. He has withheld significant funding from the Palestinian Authority and even threatened to allow a waiver protecting Israeli banks dealing with Palestinian banks to expire.

Agreed Measures: In a recent meeting, cabinet ministers agreed to retroactively authorize five Israeli settlement outposts in the West Bank that were previously built illegally. This move was proposed by Smotrich’s office and is intended to appease him. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that in return, Smotrich would release some funds to the Palestinian Authority and extend the banking waiver.

Next Steps: While the details and timeline for legalizing the five outposts remain unclear, the international community generally considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank as a violation of international law. Legalizing these outposts would allow them to grow and expand within the bounds of Israeli law.

Current Situation: Meanwhile, in the midst of the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, the West Bank is grappling with its own economic crisis. The recent conflict in Gaza has left tens of thousands unemployed in the West Bank, Palestinian civil servants have not received full salaries for months, and routine Israeli incursions have disrupted daily life and travel in the region.