The Israeli Knesset approved on Wednesday the first reading of a bill to deduct the allowances of the families of Palestinian prisoners and martyrs from the tax revenues collected by Israel for the Palestinian Authority (PA).
According to the Hebrew TV channel Seven the decision won the majority of votes with 48 votes in favor and 13 against.
The PA Council of Ministers in its weekly meeting on Tuesday described the Israeli bill as “piracy” and affirmed that these funds are Palestinian and not a gift from Israel adding that Israel collects them on behalf of the PA in return for 3% of the tax revenues which amount to 27 million shekels per month.
Hamas Movement called in a statement on the PA not to comply with the Israeli decision and considered the bill a public theft and an attack on Palestinian icons.
