JERUSALEM – Close to 100,000 signatories have joined a petition demanding that the Government of Israel cut off the water and electricity supply provided by Israel to the Palestinian Authority.

Under the title ‘It’s time to stop the Palestinian Circus!’ the petition states: “There will be no water, no electricity, and no transfer of goods and treatment of the wounded – until the return of our boys! The Government of Israel will not negotiate any price, the power is in our hands and that’s the time to return the pride to the State of Israel!”

The petition garnered tremendous support in only three days.

Tazpit News Agency spoke to one of the organizers, who expressed regret at the aspect of collective punishment, but explained its significance. “This action is required for two reasons: first, the tactical need to bring the three abducted boys back. The other point is that Israel’s pride and stature are at stake here; we must not bend to the terrorists’ demands. Seeing the boys coming back will create a surge of national pride, which I believe has been lost. My heart is with the families, I hope this works.”

He conceded that he did not expect such massive and swift support. He plans to submit the petition to Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett and MK Ayelet Shaked, with the intent of them bringing the issue to the government.

One signatory from Passaic, New Jersey wrote: “Why is Israel providing free water and electricity to these Arabs anyways? At the very least the Arabs should be paying at least as much as us, if not more. Israel needs to stop putting the welfare of those who want Israel destroyed over the welfare of their own Jewish citizens.”

Israel currently supplies all electricity needs to the Arabs in Judea and Samaria. Palestinian customers receive the electricity through the Palestinian Authority and the Jerusalem District Electricity Company. The PA’s has 730 Million NIS debt to the Israel Electrical Company (IEC). Each month, IEC sends a warning letter about the debt, and it is in talks with the Palestinian Authority and the Jerusalem District Electricity Company, but no agreement has been reached on payment.

Editor: To sign the petition click here.