Bill to Allow Withholding Palestinian Tax Money Moves Along

An Israeli law that will allow some $280 million in tariffs and taxes that it collects for the Palestinian Authority to be withheld until the PA ends its financial support for families of terrorists has moved closer to passage.  On Wednesday, the bill passed its first reading by a strong margin and will proceed with two more readings. Israeli governments have long used the withholding of tariff money to express its anger at the Palestinians when situations arise. But this is the first time Israelis are seeking legislative cover for the action. Law makers representing the Arab Israeli community have condemned the bill as illegal collective punishment.