Israel agrees to transfer millions of dollars into Gaza

[bemildred]

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved the transfer of millions of dollars to pay Palestinian Authority officials in Gaza.

"This is money and they have the right to decide how to spend it. The money belongs to Fayyad and his employees in Gaza," according to a statement from the prime minister's office.

The $43 million US is tax money collected by the Israeli government. It is supposed to go to the Palestinian Authority to be used by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's West Bank-based prime minister, Salam Fayyad, to pay 77,000 government employees in Gaza who remain loyal to Abbas.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Ehud Barak reportedly opposed Thursday's decision, arguing that the money could end up in the hands of Hamas, which controls the region.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/02/05/israel-payments.html

[bemildred]

1. Egyptian authorities have stopped a Hamas official from carrying $US11 million in cash

across the border into Gaza.

Police sources said Ayman Taha was carrying $US9 million in dollars and 2 million euros ($US2.56 million).

The money is now in an account in the National Bank of Egypt in the town of El Arish and the official crossed into Gaza without the money.

It was the first known attempt by a Hamas official to take large quantities of money into Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory in June 2007.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/02/06/12459d98fb77

[ohio2007]

6. those counterfeit US $100 bills from Iran ? I thought the pay checks were still on board "that ship"

off Cyprus

snip

the group relented, authorities found $7 million and 2 million euros ($2.5 million) in cash in their suitcases. Another security official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said $9 million and 2 million euros were found. The discrepancy could not be immediately explained.

The money was later deposited in an account in Egypt by a Hamas member who stayed behind while the rest of the delegation was allowed to return to Gaza, the second security official said. He later returned to Gaza, the second official said.

snip

Is the money getting a closer examination ?

[bemildred]

2. Egypt Prevents Hamas Delegation From Taking $11.6 Million Into Gaza

EL-ARISH, Egypt (AFP)--Egypt stopped a senior Hamas official from carrying $9 million and EUR2 million in cash through the Rafah bordering crossing into Gaza on Thursday, a security official told AFP.

Border officials had held up a six-member delegation returning from truce talks in Cairo after insisting on searching their bags.

The officials allowed five members to cross but prevented Gaza-based Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha, who was carrying the cash, from entering Gaza with the money.

After contacting the finance ministry, security officials accompanied Taha to a bank in nearby El-Arish, where he deposited the money in an account before returning to Gaza, the official said.

NASDAQ

[Idealism]

3. Yet another time that Bibi can call Olmert (and his party) soft on terrorists.

This will end up winning Likud an extra 2-3 seats...

[aquart]

4. That's Palestinian money the Israelis denied Hamas access to, isn't it?

which, if they'd just let it be in the first place, none of this mess might have occurred? That money? For some reason the name Emily Litella just pops into my head.

[Vegasaurus]

5. Probably a dumb plan nt

[bemildred]

7. Supreme Court approves money transfer to Strip

Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein approved the transfer of cash from Israel to Gaza, effectively rejecting an appeal by the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel to prevent the move.

Rubinstein ordered the State to file a detailed response within three days, explaining the legalities involved in cash transfers from Israel to the Strip. (Aviad Glickman)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3667823,00.html

[Vegasaurus]

8. Bigger and better weapons, from Iran, coming soon! nt