Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant held a press conference on Wednesday and called for the government to continue transferring funds to the Palestinian Authority.
“The State of Israel is interested in maintaining stability in Judea and Samaria, always and especially during these times. The funds should be transferred immediately so that these may be used by the operational mechanism of the Palestinian Authority and by the sectors of the Palestinian Authority that are dealing with the prevention of terrorism. I think it is only appropriate to uphold the decision of the cabinet as decided several days ago,” the Minister stated.
The Gallant's statements come in contrast to the Finance Minister, who called to freeze the transfer of funds to the Palestinian Authority from the taxes that Israel collects for it due to its actions and support of Hamas in Gaza.
Minister Smotrich responded to the Defense Minister's call stating: "I appreciate the Minister of Defense and support him for working day and night for Israel's security. His stance on the transfer of funds to the PA is a severe mistake.
Smotrich added: "I do not intend on letting the State of Israel fund our enemies in Judea and Samaria who support Hamas and fund the 10/7 terrorists who murdered and massacred us. The PA is not the solution; it is part of the problem. We won't repeat the same mistake and conception that blew up in our face."
Earlier in the press conference, Gallant spoke about the death toll of the war: "This war has a heavy toll on us - I share in the grief of the families who lost their loved ones in the difficult battles in Gaza city- they are our children. Anyone who has lost a friend in battle knows how difficult it is and also understands the desire to storm in, to fight, to win, to beat the enemy in honor of those who lost their lives, for those who are living, for the people of Israel and for the State of Israel.”
He also discussed cooperation with foreign governments, “I have a close relationship with Defense Ministers from all over the world, they call me and speak to me. I speak with my friend, the Secretary of Defense of the United States, General Austin, on a daily basis. What I hear from him as well as from others, is what you and I know – we are on the frontline of the free world - facing a world of darkness and evil, and we must win.”
Later, he addressed the families of the soldiers who were fighting in the Gaza Strip: "I know you are worried, I know this is a difficult time, and I know that you experience a lot of stress. I’ve experienced it personally, and I'm extending my support."
In regard to Hamas’ use of children as human shields Gallant stated: “Hamas is a murderous [terrorist] organization that will make use of anything it has; I don’t need to describe to the Israeli public what happened to children, women, and the elderly in the hands of Hamas. Therefore, nothing is beyond our imagination, and there is nothing that can’t happen - it is the Hamas organization, it is the ISIS of Gaza. When I spoke about this with Secretary of Defense Austin, he told me they [Hamas] are much worse than ISIS. [He said] I fought ISIS for six years; it is not like what Hamas did”.
The Defense Minister concluded: “I want to send a loud and clear message about the deep sense of confidence and appreciation I have for the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Major General Herzi Halevi, who carries out his work with endless dedication, professionalism, determination, and a great deal of courage and common sense.