With the international pressure to increase lately and in view of the UN conference on the solution of the two states, the far -right of the … offensive government does everything it can to make its vision of making the lives of the unmistakable.
Thus, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotric, according to what was announced, decided to cancel the cooperation agreement between Israeli and Palestinian banks, a move that endangers the Palestinian banking system, trade and the total economy. Israeli banks Hapoalim and Israel Discount Bank are working with Palestinian banks.
Smotric argued that his decision came in response to the “legitimacy campaign” carried out by the Palestinian Authority against Israel worldwide. The agreement that exists allows Israeli banks to process Schel payments for PA -related services and wages, without the risk of being accused of money laundering and funding of extremism.
Without it, Palestinian banks could be cut off from the Israeli financial system.
What does the Palestinian side say
This move could therefore completely stop the supply of basic goods such as food and fuel to Palestinian territories, the Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) said.
According to official data, about $ 53 billion ($ 15.2 billion) were exchanged to Palestinian banks in 2023.
PMA said it was monitoring developments and warned that such a break was a serious threat to Palestinian access to basic goods and services.
He noted that he is in constant coordination with the political leadership and the international community to safeguard bank relations.
“These efforts are vital to ensuring the continuation of trade and pay basic imports and services, including food, electricity, water and fuel,” PMA said.
PMA has said that depositors’ funds in the Palestinian banking sector are safe and that the banking system remains integrated into the global financial network through a wide range of affiliate banks and continues to provide services to individuals and businesses internationally and internationally.
The past and the juncture
Smotric, under pressure from the US, had signed the expansion of cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian banks by the end of 2024 until November 2025.
The cancellation of cooperation would require approval by the Israeli Security Council. According to what has been known, however, no date has been set for the vote and it is not clear whether the Smotrich plan will pass.
His last decision came a few hours after the United Kingdom and four other states imposed sanctions on himself and another far -right minister, accusing them of inciting violence on the West Bank. Sanctions included freezing assets and banning travel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the action of the five countries was “outrageous”.
With a look at the Knesset
The above is coming as the government is preparing to fight for its survival, as in the wake of the dispute over the exemption of the surrounding Jews from the Israeli army, the leaders of the Israeli opposition parties have submitted to the Israeli opposition.
This could, in fact, pave the way for new early elections. A first vote on the bill is expected to take place today, and it will be shown if the ultra -artistic Jewish parties, key supporters of the ruling coalition under Netanyahu, will support it or not, which means to Netanyahu.
SHAS and United Torah Judaism (united Judaism of Torah), members of the government coalition, have threatened to support the bill because of their opposition to the Israeli military.
If these two parties vote with the opposition, a sufficient number of votes will be raised for the approval of the Knesset’s dissolution bill. If approved during the preliminary reading in plenary today, three more votes will be needed prior to the dissolution of Parliament
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled last year to lift the exemption of members of the loud Israeli community of compulsory recruitment to other citizens.
Netanyahu is also confronted with a part of his party, right Likud, who is pushing for a law on the recruitment of more surroundings, and the tightening of punishments against those who avoid the recruitment.
This is a real casus belli for parties such as SHAS, which represent Harey and require a law that guarantees their long -term exemption from military service.
