Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told JNS on Monday that the Palestinian Authority “supports, encourages and funds terrorism” and should be replaced by a “completely different,” non-hostile body.

The Western-backed P.A. should be replaced by a civilian administrative body that “does not seek to annihilate the State of Israel,” said Smotrich, speaking at a faction meeting of his Religious Zionist Party in Jerusalem.

“Unfortunately, such a decision has not yet been made by the government I am a member of,” the Cabinet minister added.