Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman declared the “Palestinian National Fund” (hereinafter “the fund”) to be a terrorist organization on Thursday (March 16).
Liberman carried out the designation under Article 3 of the 2016 Fight Against Terrorism Law.
“The decision to declare the fund a terrorist organization stems from its continuing and ongoing activity in providing massive support for elements responsible for committing severe acts of terrorism against Israel,” a Defense Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
“The fund serves – inter alia – as a significant financial pipeline for tens of millions of shekels that are transferred on a monthly basis to security prisoners held in Israel for committing acts of terrorism and to members of their families. In effect, the longer the sentence, the greater the payments to the prisoner and his family,” the spokesperson explained.
“The fund also supports family members of terrorists who were wounded and killed while perpetrating acts of terrorism against Israel.”
The fund has a vital role in the financial support for Palestinian Authority terrorist operatives imprisoned in Israel and it is used as the most significant route for transferring funds, the ministry added.
The fund is headed by Ramzi Elias Yousef Khouri, a senior PLO official who is close to senior Palestinian Authority leaders.
Effective Thursday, all necessary actions are being taken in Israel and overseas in order to seize and confiscate property and assets designated for, or belonging to, the fund, officials said.
“The security services will continue to take strong action against all bodies that support terrorism against the State of Israel.”