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PA crackdown has Hamas reducing cash transfers to West Bank By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel News, West Bank  Hamas has dramatically reduced its money transfers to various charitable organizations in the West Bank formerly linked to the group, as the Palestinian Authority continues to assert its control over those organizations. Hamas had used the charities to transfer money to its operatives in the West Bank and to strengthen its standing among the Palestinian public. Since the beginning of this year, the PA has systematically installed new managements at the charities, which then transferred the organizations' assets to the PA itself. In addition, the PA has appointed religious leaders affiliated with the Ramallah government to the Waqf Islamic religious trust, which was previously run by clerics identified with the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas' parent movement. This leadership change has forced Hamas to stem the flow of money to the charities it once funded. Advertisement The global economic downturn has also slowed the money flow, as major donors in the Persian Gulf have transferred smaller amounts into Hamas' coffers. Tighter Israeli supervision of the charities and more familiarity with Hamas' money-laundering techniques also played a role in the reduction. In addition, Palestinian security services recently seized several million shekels destined for Hamas-affiliated social services organizations. Related articles: Dealing with Hamas / 'Tahadiyeh light' Is Israel deliberately strengthening Hamas? Israel infuriated by U.K. plan to label West Bank produce Bookmark to del.icio.us   Crime boss killed Ya'akov Alperon was killed just after his son was indicted for alleged murder attempt Peres at GA, Jerusalem Peres stresses that strong U.S. Israeli ties will not change under Obama's administration   1.   The PA learns from Israel: Steal from the poor and give it to the 12:01  |  Andreas 17/11/08   2.   Raising the ante 17:02  |  Mark Lincoln 17/11/08   3.   Anything who can help destroing Hamas is good 17:45  |  maurice 17/11/08

Read & React Poll: 6% of Americans think U.S. should back Palestinians in Mideast peace talks Responses: 235 Livni to Miliband: U.K. plan to label W. Bank goods is 'exaggerated' Responses: 189 Settlers threaten 'Amona'-style riots over Hebron eviction Responses: 66 Amira Hass: Is Israel deliberately strengthening Hamas? Responses: 54 IDF officers slam top ministers for Gaza 'war-mongering' Responses: 37 More Headlines 23:37 MI Chief: I support direct talks between Iran and U.S. 18:49 IAEA chief confirms traces of uranium found at Syria site 16:38 GA special report / Ex-IDF chief: Military option against Iran still exists 00:36 Crime boss killed in underworld Tel Aviv car bombing 21:27 Ramle woman arrested on suspicion she planned to assist suicide bombing 03:13 Israeli diamond trader murdered in Johannesburg 15:50 Israel to free 250 Palestinian prisoners in goodwill gesture to Abbas 15:21 JEWISH WORLD / Obama must get involved in peace talks before they atrophy 22:54 Dozens of Poles awarded medals for saving Jewish lives in Holocaust 15:20 Barak: Israel will not accept indiscriminate attacks on its citizens 16:42 GA special report / Peres to Obama: To help Israel, be a great president for the U.S. 00:21 IDF lets limited aid into Gaza, despite Qassam fire on Negev 16:07 Top Obama aide denies report president-elect will back Arab peace plan 08:11 Poll: Only 6% of Americans think U.S. should back Palestinians in peace talks 15:18 IDF officers slam top ministers for Gaza 'war-mongering' 00:13 Israeli man moderately injured in criminally linked West Bank shooting Previous Editions Select Day 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov

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