Security cabinet puts off vote on measures to boost settlements, punish PA

The security cabinet discussed measures to strengthen settlement in the West Bank, in part as a response to Spain, Ireland and Norway recognizing a Palestinian state last month.

The measures are also a reaction to the Palestinian Authority’s hostile moves against Israel in international fora, says the Prime Minister’s Office.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara asked for time to comment further on some of the proposals in the coming days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered all the proposals to be brought for a vote at the next meeting of the full cabinet.

The intended punitive measures come as Walla news reports that Israel is at the same time slated to release hundreds of millions of dollars it’s been withholding from the Palestinian Authority.