Foreign Minister Livni and Acting PM Olmert
Photo: Reuters
National Security Council Head Giora Eiland
Photo: Uri Porat
Israel seeks to monitor PA funds
In discussion held by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, defense officials suggest appointing international auditors who will report to donors how their money is being spent
Israel will seek to track all international aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government to ensure the money is not used to fund terror activities, senior Israeli official who held a discussion on the subject with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Thursday.
National Security Council Head Major-General (res.) Giora Eiland presented information on international donors providing financial support to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority.
Israel is expected to block financial assistance to ministries likely to divert money to terror elements.
Israel will demand to check funds designated to pay the wages of Palestinian policemen and to finance the PA security apparatus, while monies for education, medicine and humanitarian purposes will be transferred unchecked.
Eiland presented two plans to monitor money transfers to the Palestinians. A less popular plan involves the appointment of an international auditor who will monitor aid transfers to the Palestinian Authority.
International auditors
A more popular proposal involves the appointment of international auditors at a Palestinian ministry who will report to donors how their money is being spent.
Livni asked officials from the Defense, Foreign and Finance Ministries to submit more detailed information on international donors and how the Palestinian Authority spends international aid.
The recommendations will be submitted to the government, which will decide on Israel’s position on the matter. Israel will stress the importance of closely monitoring PA funds as a means to ensure international aid packages do not end up in the hands of terrorists.
