RAMALLAH, June 4, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestinian government Monday warned Israel against plans to deduct funds from the Palestinian tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority in order to compensate Israeli farmers in the Gaza periphery areas whose fields were burnt by Palestinian action.

Government spokesman Yousef al-Mahmoud slammed statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling for deducting the farmers’ compensation costs from the Palestinian tax revenues describing it as “an act of robbery and banditry.”

“The Israeli government is plotting to steal the funds of the Palestinian people,” he said in a statement. “This is an act of aggression committed by thieves in the form of Israeli officials.”

Israel collects around $100 million every month in taxes on goods imported by Palestinians and destined to the Palestinian territories that go through Israeli ports since the Palestinian borders are all under Israeli control.

Palestinian protesters partaking in the Great March of Return protests have flown kites carrying flammable material from Gaza setting fire to agricultural fields in the southern Israeli towns.

The Great March of Return protests, during which over 120 Palestinian have been killed by Israeli army gunfire, began on March 30 and are planned to continue until a 12-year long Israeli blockade on Gaza is lifted.

K.F./M.K.