Jerusalem thanks Norway for balking at PA funding for terrorists

Foreign Ministry director Dore Gold has thanked Norway for stating that it will not transfer money to the Palestinian Authority that will be used to support convicted terrorists or their families.

Gold expressed “Israel’s appreciation” to Norwegian Ambassador Jon Hanssen-Bauer over the decision made by Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, according to a statement by Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon.

“It is outrageous that killing Israelis has become a source of income for many in the PA. This completely contradicts what peace is all about. These payments incentivize terrorism and must be stopped,” Gold said, according to the statement.

Earlier this month Brende met with PA President Mahmoud Abbas and brought up the issue. Abbas told Brende that none of Norway’s aid contribution was going to terrorists or their families.

“In the meeting I emphasized that this funding, where financial payments increased by how long prisoners were sentenced, is unacceptable and should be abolished. I emphasized that with the political and economic challenges that Palestinians now face, it pays to abolish this scheme,” Brende said according to Norway daily Dagen, in a translation posted by right-wing Israeli blog site Elder of Ziyon.