Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Frirday morning that it is evident that the Cabinet has agreed to a significant change of attitude towards the Palestinian Authority.
"Last night at the Cabinet discussion, we placed the change of attitude towards the Palestinian Authority at the top of our list of priorities. I opposed the transfer of funds to the PA and I still oppose it. The aspirations of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are the same. Most of the Cabinet members accepted in principle the required change of attitude towards the PA, but emphasized the need to focus now on destroying Hamas."
"My demand to offset the funds transferred from the Palestinian Authority to Gaza was accepted, and half of the amount will not be transferred. In addition, decisions were made on action along political channels that Israel will advance against the Palestinian Authority and on more correct security preparations in Judea and Samaria," he added.
"In times of war, we require responsibility, partnership, and a united front in the Cabinet. Therefore, when my principled position was accepted and so was my demand to offset Gaza's money, I did not see fit to vote against the position of my friends."
"I congratulate my Cabinet members for the fundamental change of attitude towards the Palestinian Authority and the important decisions that are part of the Israeli reversal of opinion in this matter. The State of Israel will stop leaving its fate in the hands of its enemies," said Smotrich.
On Thursday night, the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet decided to deduct from the funds of the Palestinian Authority all the funds intended for the Gaza Strip, in addition to the offset carried out according to the law of funds paid to terrorists and their families.
However, the decision states that after the offset, Israel will transfer the tax money to the Palestinian Authority despite the war. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir voted against the transfer of funds to the Palestinian Authority. Minister Bezalel Smotrich abstained.
It was also determined in the Cabinet that Israel will cut off all contact with Gaza and within this framework no more Gazan workers will be allowed to enter.
Defense Ministry officials have criticized the decision by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who decided to withhold the tax money that Israel collects for the Palestinian Authority due to the war in Gaza.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said earlier this week that "the State of Israel always has an interest in stability in Judea and Samaria, and especially at this time. It is appropriate to transfer these funds immediately so that they will be used by the security forces of the Palestinian Authority that help prevent mass incidents. I think it is appropriate to carry out the Cabinet's decision, as it was decided a few days ago."
Minister Smotrich replied: "I appreciate the Minister of Defense and support him in his work day and night for Israel's security. His position in favor of transferring the funds to the PA is a serious mistake."
"I do not intend to let the State of Israel finance our enemies in Judea and Samaria who support the terrorism of Hamas and finance the October 7 terrorists who murdered and massacred us. The Palestinian Authority is not the solution - it is part of the problem. We do not repeat mistakes and concepts that blew up in our faces," said Smotrich.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed support for Smotrich's position: "Minister Smotrich is right. We must not return to this dangerous concept; the Palestinian Authority, which supports the massacre committed by Hamas terrorists of our brothers and sisters on the seventh of October - does not deserve to receive even one shekel. The PA is not an alternative to Hamas, it is an ally of Hamas - and this is how it should be treated, both now and also the day after the war."