The Palestinian government yesterday ruled that Palestinian citizens of Israel must get permission before they rent properties in the occupied West Bank.

The PA said: “Anyone who wishes to rent out a property to a Palestinian who holds an Israeli ID card must obtain permission from [his or her local] authority.”

The PA’s General Intelligence and Preventive Security forces will conduct a security check of the tenants and present their recommendations within two weeks, the government stated. “It is intended to protect the public interest,” said the cabinet without giving any more details.

Palestinians from occupied East Jerusalem who have Israeli residency but not citizenship are exempt from this procedure, the cabinet added.

READ: 450,000 Israel settlers in West Bank