Israel launched an operation Sunday to confiscate the funds transferred by the Palestinian Authority to the private accounts of security prisoners who had perpetrated or were involved in deadly terror attacks.
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Earlier, Defense Minister Benny Gantz issued seizure orders for approximately 10 million shekels ($3 million) of terror-linked funds. Move is part of Israel's ongoing efforts to fight the PA's pay-for-slay policy
Seizure orders have been issued for stipends of security prisoners currently in jail in Israel, released prisoners as well as families of prisoners who receive the funds for terror crimes committed by a relative.
Involved in the efforts are the Shin Bet security agency, the Defense Ministry's National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing, the Israel Police, the Tax Authority, and the Justice Ministry's Authority for the Prohibition of Money Laundering and confiscation department.
Authorities contacted the banks through which the payments are made on Sunday, demanding the funds be seized. They will then be transferred to the Administrator General's bank account.
Altogether 86 seizure orders were issued, including for terrorists Walid Daka and two others who kidnapped and murdered IDF soldier Moshe Tamm in 1984 and Haider Ziadna and Ahmed Ahmed, who killed taxi driver Yafim Weinstein in 2009, and others.
This is the second time Israel has taken such measures to seize terror funds. The security establishment clarified on Sunday that this is not a one-time operation and that it will continue to tackle the pay-for-slay policy.
"We will continue to fight the money conduit of terrorism and hit it in every possible way, and we will continue to act against anyone who is involved in terrorism, but at the same time we will also continue to strengthen the civil and economic aspect of the residents of the Palestinian Authority who are not involved in terrorism, out of a desire for stability and prosperity," Gantz said.
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