PA instructs banks not to close terrorist prisoners’ accounts, works to incorporate released terrorists into PA institutions
Director of PLO Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs Qadri Abu Bakr: “We’ll talk with the banks and take a position against closing any existing account… Starting from Jan. 1, [2021], we paid [salaries] two months in advance, so that there would be time to find a mechanism to pay the prisoners and released prisoners. The prisoners also raised the topic of being absorbed [into the PA institutions]… There are forms. Not everyone filled them out, but we want to start with the forms that are ready. The prime minister promised that in a few days there will be a decision on the matter... It was emphasized that the prisoners’ cause – both those inside prison and those outside – is a sacred cause that must not be harmed…
Independent Palestinian news agency Wattan host: “Have instructions been given to the banks not to close the bank accounts?”
Qadri Abu Bakr: “Yes, through the central bank-”
Host: “Do you mean the [PA] Monetary Authority?”
Qadri Abu Bakr: “The Monetary Authority. The banks will be contacted [about] not closing the existing accounts” …
Host: “We also heard that the release grants will be paid later on?”
Qadri Abu Bakr: “Right. We have received a commitment from the [PA] Ministry of Finance that their payment will be renewed… We will distribute them according to the priorities, and Allah willing by the end of the year we will finish [paying] all the grants.”
Host: “Has an amount been set? Is it true that $2 million per month will be paid to the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs to pay [the released prisoners]?”
Qadri Abu Bakr: “It’s a matter of 2, 1 million, 1.5 million…
Host: “It has been suggested to transfer [the salary payments] to the [PA] Ministry of Welfare. Is that still an option, or has it been rejected by the political echelon?”
Qadri Abu Bakr: “No, that is unacceptable to the prisoners and all the political echelons.”
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