Shin Bet head said to tell unmoved PM that his far-right ministers interested in igniting W. Bank

During a recent war cabinet meeting, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar implored the small group of senior ministers present to ensure that the government transfers the tax revenues that belong to the Palestinian Authority to Ramallah, explaining that the PA’s collapse could lead to a violent intifada breaking out in the West Bank, the Maariv news site reports.

Bar stressed the importance of working to stabilize the West Bank and combating settler violence so that the IDF doesn’t have to suddenly contend with an eastern front while it is fighting Hamas in Gaza, Maariv says.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would bring the matter before the full cabinet. At which point he was interrupted by Bar who explained that the full cabinet is not the solution, but part of the problem as there are ministers in the government that are trying to ignite the area, Maariv says, ostensibly referring to Finace Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and other ministers from their far-right parties who have opposed steps to stabilize the PA.

Ultimately, the cabinet voted to transfer some of the tax revenues to the PA but deducted roughly NIS 100 million ($26 million) in funds that Ramallah uses to pay for services in the Gaza Strip — a cut that was still opposed by the security establishment and infuriated the Biden administration, according to a US official.