The one-week-old Israeli occupation government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu announced five additional sanctions against the Palestinians.
The Council of Ministers approved a number of steps against the Palestinian Authority after going to the International Court of Justice last week.
According to the statement of the office of the Israeli Prime Minister, a decision has been made to transfer $39 million of Palestinian Authority funds to Israelis who they claim have been affected by operations carried out by Palestinians.
A second decision was made to deduct funds from the Palestinian financial revenues paid by the Palestinian Authority as social allowances for the families of Palestinian prisoners and victims.
Thirdly, it decided freezing Palestinian construction plans in Area C, “after illegal occupation attempts by the Palestinian Authority, in contravention of international agreements.”
Area C covers about 60 percent of the West Bank and falls under “full Israeli civil and security control,” and it is worth noting that many Israeli settlements are built on it.
Fourth, “VIPs who are leading the political and legal war against Israel,” will be deprived of privileges, referring to the travel permits granted to senior officials in the Palestinian Authority.
Fifthly, taking unspecified “action” against organisations in the West Bank that “promote terrorist activity or any hostile activity.” That includes groups carrying out “political and legal action against Israel under the guise of humanitarian work,” it said.
Last Friday, the United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of issuing an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The Netanyahu government attacked the resolution adopted by the United Nations with 87 votes in favour, 26 against, and 53 abstentions.
