Defense Minister declares Palestinian National Fund a terror organization

The money was transferred on a monthly basis and the longer the prison sentence, the more money the prisoner and relatives receive, the statement read.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM
Updated: MARCH 17, 2017 04:36
A young Palestinian loyal to Hamas stands under the stage in front of a poster depicting late Hamas spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin during a rally in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip (photo credit: REUTERS)
A young Palestinian loyal to Hamas stands under the stage in front of a poster depicting late Hamas spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin during a rally in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman labeled the Palestinian National Fund a terrorist organization due to “its continuous and sustained support to entities responsible for serious terrorist activity against Israel.”
According to a Defense Ministry statement on Thursday, the fund is used, among other things, to act as a conduit for tens of millions of shekels to security prisoners imprisoned for committing terrorist activities, and their families. The money is transferred on a monthly basis, and the longer the prison sentence, the more money the prisoner and his relatives receive, the statement read.
In addition, the ministry said the fund supports the families of terrorists who were wounded or killed while committing attacks against Israelis.
“As of the date of the declaration, necessary steps will be taken, in Israel and abroad, to seize and forfeit the property and money belonging to the fund. Security officials will continue to act firmly against any entity that supports terrorist activities against Israel,” the Defense Ministry statement concluded.