The Movement for Eretz Yisrael and activists working towards Gilad Shalit’s release petitioned the High Court of Justice in the hope of preventing yet another Israeli transfer of funds to the Hamas-controlled regime in Gaza. A Brinks truck was loaded and waiting to cross into Gaza with NIS 175 million. The petitioners are seeking to tie the delivery of tax funds to the PA (Palestinian Authority) to the release of Gilad Shalit and a cessation of rocket fire into Israel.

The state, in its response, stated this is out of the court’s jurisdiction, explaining the decision is based on security and political considerations, as well as the government’s compliance with signed agreements.

The on-call justice who addressed the petition, Salim Jubran, was called upon to make a decision today since the truck loaded with the money was waiting by the Gaza border to make the delivery. Jubran refused a request from made last night by the petitioners to issue a restraining order to stop the transfer pending a hearing.

During the early afternoon hours, High Court Justice Amnon Rubinstein instructed the state to respond before Shabbos, seeking to learn if Attorney General Menachem Mazuz approved the transfer of funds.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)