Palestinian Authority, crucial for Biden’s peace plan, pledges $97M annually to Hamas

JERUSALEM—Rewarding Terror: The ⁤Palestinian Authority’s Controversial “Pay for Slay” Policy

As President Joe Biden seeks to empower the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the pursuit of Middle East peace, the⁣ PA has committed tens of ​millions of dollars in‍ reward money to terrorists involved in the ⁣Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel⁣ and the resulting war. This longstanding policy, known as “pay for slay,” provides salaries and benefits to Palestinians imprisoned‍ for violence against Israel and to the families of those killed in the conflict.

Since Oct. 7, the PA has doubled down on its support for this policy, despite the worsening economic crisis in ⁢the West Bank, where the PA governs. This⁣ raises questions‍ about the authority’s priorities and clashes with ⁤the Biden administration’s plans for a revamped PA to govern Gaza ​and eventually lead regional normalization with Israel.

The Israeli government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has opposed Biden’s post-war plans, arguing that the PA is not significantly different from Hamas. Critics, such⁤ as Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, warn that​ a PA-run Gaza would pose a renewed ​threat similar to the Oct. 7 attack, ‍as the authority is responsible for creating ⁢an incentive ‌system and a mindset that made such attacks possible.

In addition ⁤to the “pay for slay” policy, the PA⁣ continues to promote hatred⁣ of Israel and Jews in its education system and media. It has also avoided condemning the Oct. 7‍ attack, during which Gazan terrorists killed over 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, ⁤and took 253 hostages.

While the ⁢Biden administration has pressed ⁣the PA to make reforms, it has not publicly demanded‍ an end⁢ to “pay for slay” or the rule of PA President Mahmoud Abbas. The recent resignation ⁢of the entire PA government,⁣ leaving only Abbas in power, has been seen as a step toward ⁤achieving a reunited⁤ Gaza and West Bank under the Palestinian ​Authority.

The PA has long treated “pay for slay” as a near-sacred⁢ obligation, ⁣generously funding the policy despite international sanctions. In ‌2018, the PA allocated $340 million to this program, accounting for 7 ⁤percent of its budget and benefiting only a small percentage of the population. The United States and Israel enacted laws that slashed funding to the PA over this issue, accelerating international divestment from the authority.

The PA’s fiscal problems ⁣have worsened since Oct. 7, exacerbated by a tax dispute with Israel. Government workers’ salaries‌ have been reduced, triggering a severe economic contraction ‍in the ⁣West Bank. Amid this cash crunch, the PA has continued to pay terrorists at the same rate as government workers, extending the “pay for slay” policy‌ to every ⁢”martyr” and prisoner of Oct. 7 and its aftermath.

According to PA law and decree, the families of those killed or wounded in the conflict ‌are entitled to one-time grants and lifetime annual salaries. Prisoners⁣ receive monthly salaries that increase with the length of their incarceration. The PA has recognized 22,000 ‌”martyrs” of the conflict, and if all families file the​ required paperwork, the ‍PA will owe them millions of dollars in grants and salaries.

Despite the PA’s financial challenges,⁤ it is expected to find ​a way to continue these payments, even if it means⁢ making cuts⁤ elsewhere. Critics ⁢argue that the PA prioritizes rewarding terror over the well-being of its people, ⁣while supporters see it as a necessary response to Israeli actions.

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, with Israel vowing to incapacitate ⁢Hamas and secure the ⁣release of‌ hostages, the future of the⁣ “pay for‍ slay” policy and the role of the PA remain uncertain.

What are the potential ⁣consequences of the PA’s ‌”pay for slay” policy on the security situation in‍ the region?

Non-public stance on this controversial policy raises concerns about the administration’s commitment to fighting terrorism and promoting peace in the region.

The⁣ “pay for slay” policy adopted by the Palestinian ​Authority is‌ deeply troubling and goes against the principles of justice, accountability, and peace. ⁤This ‌policy incentivizes violence against ‍Israel by offering financial rewards⁤ to ‌individuals​ involved in⁣ terrorist ⁢attacks and their families. By providing salaries and benefits ⁤to terrorists, the‌ PA perpetuates a cycle​ of‌ violence and rewards ‍those who harm innocent civilians.

The recent Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, ​which ​led to a devastating war, further underscores the dangerous consequences of the PA’s “pay ​for​ slay” policy.⁢ Despite the ⁤economic crisis in the‌ West Bank, where the PA governs, ⁢the authority has chosen to double down on its support for ⁢this policy, raising questions about its priorities.

Critics, including Israeli⁣ Prime ⁤Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, argue that‍ the PA’s stance on “pay for slay” is indicative of its similarity to Hamas. They caution that allowing the PA to ​govern Gaza, as proposed by the Biden administration, would​ pose a renewed threat of terrorism.

Furthermore, the⁢ PA’s continued promotion of hatred⁣ of Israel and Jews in its⁣ education system and media is deeply concerning. It creates an environment that fosters hostility and fuels ⁤the conflict.⁣ The PA’s‍ failure to condemn the ⁢Oct. 7 attack, during which over ‍1,200 ​people were killed, mostly Israeli civilians,‌ and 253 were taken hostage by Gazan terrorists, only exacerbates⁢ these concerns.

While the Biden administration has expressed​ the need ⁤for reforms within‌ the PA, its non-public demand to end⁤ the “pay for slay” policy and the rule of President Mahmoud Abbas is troubling. If​ the administration truly ⁣seeks to empower the‍ PA and promote ⁤peace in the region, it must take a⁢ stronger stance⁣ against this⁢ controversial policy and press ⁢for meaningful change within the authority.

In conclusion, the Palestinian Authority’s “pay for slay” policy is a deeply controversial and problematic ​approach that rewards terrorism and perpetuates violence. Its support ⁢for this ⁤policy, along with its promotion of hatred and failure to condemn terrorist attacks, raises serious‌ concerns about ‌its commitment to peace and the Biden administration’s approach to empowering the ‌PA. ‌To truly advance peace in the Middle East, it is crucial⁢ to address and rectify‍ these issues within the Palestinian Authority.