Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Bill seeks Palestinian compensation for rocket damages

From Ynet News, 4/11/07, by Roni Sofer:

Ministerial Committee on Legislation approves bill that would have PA pay for damages to life and property caused by rocket attacks on Israel; money to be collected through tax payments

A bill approved by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation Sunday would allow Israel to claim compensation from the Palestinian Authority for damages caused by Qassam rockets fired at Israel. The money would be deducted from the tax payments collected by Israel on the PA's behalf.

The bill states the PA bears the responsibility for the Qassam attacks from Gaza, and that the attacks are sponsored either by the Authority or its representatives.

"Contrary to the agreements between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the Authority fails to meet its obligations," the bill states. "Not only does it no[t] fight terror, it even encourages it, supports it and sometimes executes it through its employees. It is inconceivable that the State of Israel should shoulder the costs of the Qassam fire, which the Palestinian Authority is responsible for."

According to the bill, the Administrative Court in Jerusalem would be entrusted with handling petitions on the issue and the Justice Ministry would be in charge of implementing the law.

Justice Ministry personnel would conduct the damage assessment, including damage to property, and the costs pertaining to the physical and psychological effects of the violence and the loss of human lives.

MK Yisrael Hasson, who initiated the bill, slammed Attorney General Menachem Mazuz on Sunday for postponing sanctions on Gaza's residents, including cutting off the electrify supply to the Strip. "This bill is an answer to Mazuz. Since the attorney general did not make it possible to cut off the power of those who've been firing Qassams at us, we were forced to move forth with a different legislation."

Hasson added that Israel cannot put up with the fact that over $500 million are transferred to the Palestinian Authority each year. "I know of no precedent where a man condemned to death supplies the rope to his executioner."

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