Presidency: Smotrich’s decision on relationship between Israeli and Palestinian banks is in breach of signed agreements

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian Presidency has rejected statements made by the hard-right Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, regarding his refusal to renew the signature on a document that provides Israeli banks, involved in dealings with Palestinian banks, protection against lawsuits. "This move contradicts signed agreements, including the Paris Protocol that regulates these financial relations," said the Presidency in a press statement on Thursday evening. Additionally, the Presidency called on the U.S. administration "to take necessary measures to halt these reckless actions, especially amidst the all-out war waged against the Palestinian people. This includes the deduction and piracy of Palestinian tax funds under unlawful and unacceptable pretexts." The statement pointed out that "this measure coincides with the Israeli occupation's installation of iron barriers at three gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, obstructing and hindering worshippers' access to the mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. This i s in addition to ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, and occupied Jerusalem." The Palestinian Presidency's statement comes in response to hard-right Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich's refusal to renew the signature on a document protecting the Israeli banks of Discount and Hapoalim against lawsuits over financial relations with Palestinian banks. The move by Smotrich could lead to Israeli banks severing ties with Palestinian banks due to fear of litigation, which could have serious consequences to the Palestinian economy. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA