In an effort to stop funds from reaching terrorist organizations, Israel has raided Palestinian banks and seized funds that were in the bank accounts
of local terrorist. This comes only days after France has ordered inquiries of $11.5 million in transfers into bank accounts belonging to Arafat's
Wife.
Associated Press
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Israeli security forces raided four branches of Palestinian banks on Wednesday, seizing large amounts of cash they said
was sent by Iran, Syria and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas to fund Palestinian militants. The raids came a day after Palestinian security officials
confirmed that Hezbollah helped fund the most recent two Jerusalem bus bombings - on Sunday and Jan. 29 - which killed 18 Israelis and a foreign
worker.
external imageNow that the separation wall is in question and under the microscope, Sharon has
stepped up resistance to Palestinian terrorism on another front. Israeli Defense Forces have raided Palestinian banks and seized funds from accounts
that they believe are linked to terrorist funding. The Israeli Army released a statement saying "The purpose of this operation is to impair the
funneling of funds, which oil the wheels of terror against Israel." Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia called the raids ?Very serious? and said
that he is worried about runs on banks and the economic impact of these raids.
Related Stories:
France Probes Bank Accounts of Arafat's Wife
Jerusalem Bus bomb kills 8
[Edited on 25-2-2004 by Zion Mainframe]
