Despite objections to handing additional tax revenue funds to the PA (Palestinian Authority), Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this week approved another NIS 50 million.

Noam and Aviva Shalit, the parents of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, called on the government to halt funding to the PA, requesting that something be done towards obtaining the release of their son, who is now in his third year of Hamas captivity. The Shalits stated Israel continues to release prisoners and show “good will” while nothing is done towards obtaining Gilad’s release. They add it is known that some of the tax revenue funds given to the PA may indeed land up in Hamas-controlled Gaza, funding terror attacks against Israel.

Despite receiving an urgent letter from the Shalits on Tuesday, the prime minister and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni did not halt the transfer of the funds. The Shalits threatened to turn to the High Court, explaining “we are not speaking about bread and milk but about money used to stabilize the Hamas regime in Gaza” they wrote in the letter.

Mr. Shalit spoke personally to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who seemed to ignore his reasoning.

Israeli officials explain the funds are PA-generated tax revenue that is used to pay salaries for PA government officials.

The Shalits on the other hand maintain that once the money is turned over to the PA, Israel has no control and it is very possibly the money is used to fund terror against Israel and to the support the Hamas government in Gaza. The Shalits accuse the government of nonfeasance for not using means at its disposal to apply pressure on the Hamas regime in Gaza.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)