Palestinian Authority Ordered to Pay Record $13.5 Million in Terror Victim Compensation

A landmark ruling by the Jerusalem District Court mandates that the Palestinian Authority must pay approximately 50 million shekels (around $13.5 million USD) in compensation to security forces personnel injured in terror attacks. This unprecedented decision, based on the 2024 Law for Compensation for Victims of Terror, extends compensation beyond civilians to include soldiers and police officers, even when their injuries did not occur during active operational duty.

The ruling came in response to three separate lawsuits filed by attorneys Anat and Gilad Ginzburg. One case involved an IDF soldier permanently disabled after being run over while en route to a swearing-in ceremony. Another concerned a police officer who suffered severe post-traumatic stress after fending off a knife attacker, leading to her medical discharge. The third case tragically involved a pregnant woman and her husband, an IDF soldier, who were shot; their infant, delivered via emergency C-section, later died from injuries, while the parents sustained severe disabilities.

Judge Ilan Sala rejected the Palestinian Authority's claims that it should not be liable for compensating uniformed personnel, emphasizing that the law refers to any "person" harmed by terror, irrespective of civilian or military status. The Ginzburgs hailed the decision, stating that economically targeting terror financiers is crucial for justice and the rehabilitation of victims.

They added that this ruling allows all terror victims, including security forces and their families, to file claims against the Palestinian Authority, which they accuse of funding terrorists and their families. The attorneys stressed the importance of the economic war on terror, noting that these judgments represent historical justice and enable necessary rehabilitation and compensation for victims.

This ruling follows a separate, large-scale lawsuit filed in early 2026 by the Israeli insurance company The Phoenix, seeking 550 million shekels from the Palestinian Authority for damages related to the alleged theft of approximately 6,000 vehicles into Palestinian territories between 2018 and 2025. The Phoenix aims to hold the Ramallah government directly responsible for allegedly turning a blind eye to and enabling a thriving stolen vehicle industry.