PA Continues Millions in Payments to Terrorists Despite Promises

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is still transferring over 20 million shekels (approximately $5.5 million) monthly to terrorists imprisoned in Israel, according to a new study by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA). This practice continues despite Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas's assurances to the United States that the controversial "Pay for Slay" system would be abolished. The study, authored by Maurice Hirsch, a reserve lieutenant colonel and former military prosecutor, criticizes Israel for not fully utilizing its legal tools to halt these payments. Since 2019, Israeli defense ministers have issued dozens of seizure orders for funds flowing from the PA and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to convicted terrorists, but only about 15 percent of these funds have actually been confiscated.

The "Pay for Slay" system provides financial stipends that increase with the duration of a prisoner's sentence. Payments start at 1400 shekels for the first three years of incarceration, rising to 4000 shekels after five years, and potentially reaching 12,000 shekels monthly for those imprisoned for over 30 years. In 2020, Israel attempted to disrupt these financial flows by warning Palestinian banks about legal risks associated with processing such transfers, reportedly leading to the closure of around 35,000 accounts belonging to terrorists and their relatives.

Following these measures, the PA reportedly rerouted payments, initially distributing cash through post offices and later using dedicated ATMs not connected to the regular banking system. Hirsch suggests Israel can target these ATMs and seize deposited funds, as well as the personal assets of recipients, including bank accounts, vehicles, and properties. He also proposes criminal proceedings against PA and PLO officials responsible for organizing and approving the payments, naming President Abbas, Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, and Finance Minister Estephan Salameh as potential targets.

Further recommendations include imposing fines on convicted terrorists based on the expected PA stipends and more consistently applying existing laws. A 2023 Knesset law allows for the revocation of Israeli citizenship or residency for terrorists receiving PA payments, but only two such cases have been initiated. Hirsch also advocates for international action, urging the U.S. to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations involved in financing the system and to target recipients under existing anti-terrorism financing laws. The study concludes that Israel possesses sufficient legal instruments to stop the payments, but the primary issue is the limited utilization of these available tools.