RAMALLAH, July 3, 2018 (WAFA) – Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh Tuesday condemned an Israeli law financially penalizing the Palestinian Authority for paying stipends to Palestinian prisoners, their families and the families of those killed or injured by Israeli forces.

Abu Rudeineh said the presidency “categorically rejects this grave decision and considers it as harmful to relations ]with Israel[ since the 1993 Oslo Accords.”

The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has passed a law withholding tens of millions of dollars from tax revenues collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority over welfare payments allocated to the families of prisoners and others killed by Israeli forces.

“If this decision is implemented, it would be met with important Palestinian steps to confront this grave decision because this issue is a red line that no one will be allowed to prejudice or cross. It is tantamount to a declaration of war against the Palestinian people, their fighters and families and martyrs who fought for its freedom and for Jerusalem and the establishment of the independent Palestinian state,” said Abu Rudeineh.

“Moving forward with the implementation of this decision will have grave repercussions. Palestinian options will be open at all levels starting with the International Criminal Court and at the (UN) Security Council,” he added.

He said that the Palestinian people, the Arab countries and the international community are required to take a firm stand to confront and overturn this decision.

He called on the Israeli government to reconsider its positions and decisions, so that the situation would not reach a dangerous impasse.

K.F./M.K.