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PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD

Israel recalls ambassadors and withholds tax funds from PA


Israel recalls ambassadors and withholds tax funds from PA

A shop owner carries a Palestinian flag in her store in the Palestinian refugee camp of Shatila in Beirut's southern suburb on May 22, 2024. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)

TEL AVIV — Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the "immediate recall" of the Israeli ambassadors to Ireland and Norway on Wednesday, citing the countries' decision to recognize a Palestinian state.

Katz said the decision to recognize a Palestinian state undermined Israel's right to self-defense and efforts to return the 128 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. "Israel will not be silent," Katz said, cited in a Reuters report. "We are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens and the removal of Hamas and the return of the hostages."

"I'm sending today a clear message," said Katz, cited in a Haaretz report. "Israel won't overlook those who undercut its sovereignty and endanger its security."

The minister warned that the countries' "rash decisions" will have "other dire consequences," adding that similar steps will be taken if Spain follows suit.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated on Wednesday that he will no longer transfer tax funds to the Palestinian Authority, and called on Netanyahu to establish an Israeli settlement in the West Bank "for every country that unilaterally recognizes a Palestinian state," Haaretz reported.

In an appeal to Netanyahu, Smotrich said he would not transfer the tax funds "until further notice." Additionally, he announced his intention to cancel the arrangement that transfers responsibility for the Palestinian Authority's tax funds to Norway.

"Norway was the first to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state today, and it cannot be a partner in anything related to [the Levant] and [Israel and Palestine]," he stated.

Smotrich also demanded what he termed "punitive measures" from Netanyahu, including promoting the construction of tens of thousands of housing units in the West Bank; establishing a settlement "for every country that unilaterally recognizes a Palestinian state"; canceling the Norwegian arrangement; promoting a government decision to strengthen settlements in the West Bank; and revoking the VIP permits of Palestinian Authority officials at crossings, alongside imposing economic sanctions on them and their families.

TEL AVIV — Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the "immediate recall" of the Israeli ambassadors to Ireland and Norway on Wednesday, citing the countries' decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
Katz said the decision to
recognize a Palestinian state undermined Israel's right to
self-defense and efforts to return the 128 hostages being held
by Hamas...