JERUSALEM—The Palestinian Authority (PA) president reportedly yielded to the Trump administration’s pressure by announcing the termination of its controversial “pay for slay” program, which compensates Palestinian terrorists and their families.
However, conflicting reports question whether the PA genuinely ended the program or is merely attempting to deceive the Trump administration.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein, stated on X that this is a deceptive maneuver by the PA, intending to continue payments through alternative channels.
On Monday, the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA) published a decree revoking laws and regulations concerning financial allowances to prisoners’, martyrs’, and wounded individuals’ families.
WAFA noted that Abbas’s decree transferred all social welfare program powers to the Palestinian Economic Empowerment Foundation.
The Times of Israel independently confirmed the revocation.
The “pay for slay” policy gained notoriety following the murder of Taylor Force, a West Point graduate, by a Palestinian terrorist in 2016. The Taylor Force Act, signed into law in 2018, followed a campaign by Force’s parents.
Asher Fredman, a former Israeli official and executive director of the Misgav Institute, described Abbas’ announcement as a ploy to mislead President Trump, suggesting payments will continue through a foundation controlled by Abbas.
“It appears that the terrorists and families of terrorists who received payments under the PA’s ‘pay for slay’ program will continue to receive the same payments, simply via a ‘foundation’ under the control of Abbas, rather than via a ministry under the control of Abbas.”
Fredman added that it remains uncertain whether Abbas will truly end the payments, as well as the incitement and antisemitism in PA media and institutions.
He noted that the payments are shifting from the Ministry of Social Development to an independent foundation, whose board head is the social development minister, and whose general director is reportedly a Ministry of Social Development employee, suggesting a close PA tie.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center stated that they will celebrate only when the PA stops financially rewarding terrorists. He criticized Abbas’s statement for lacking such a commitment.
The Times of Israel reported that PA officials informed the incoming Trump administration of their plan to end the “pay for slay” program.
The PA’s decision is believed to be an attempt to improve relations with the Trump administration following strained ties during the first Trump presidency, particularly after Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem in 2017.
The Times of Israel described Monday’s decree as Ramallah’s latest effort to improve ties with Washington.
The PA is based in Ramallah in the West Bank.
Digital reported that a late 2023 deal involving the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli civilians resulted in monthly payments for released terrorists ranging from approximately $535 to $668 for Jerusalem residents.
Jason Brodsky of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) attributed this to a “Trump effect,” where foreign leaders fear the president’s coercive diplomacy and its impact on U.S. interests. He noted that Iran and other countries are observing this closely.
Digital’s inquiries to the Palestinian Authority remained unanswered.