After recently signing a decree that seemed to signal the end of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) practice of paying stipends to terrorists responsible for killing Israelis – a policy known as “pay-to-slay” – PA leader Mahmoud Abbas later made it clear that he had no intention of stopping this controversial practice.
During a speech to the Fatah Revolutionary Council, Abbas made a definitive statement that the PA would persist in making these payments to terrorists, even if they had only a small amount of money left to distribute. In his words, the prisoners and “martyrs” are the “most dear” to Palestinian Arabs, and he would not allow their payments to be reduced under any circumstances.
These remarks were translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), which pointed out that in the version of this speech broadcast on Palestinian television and shared on Abbas’ Facebook page, all references to the continuation of payments to prisoners and families of “martyrs” were intentionally omitted.
“We should all work together to bolster our home front, to keep the PLO as the sole legitimate representative, and to foil any meetings, conferences, or attempts to create alternative or parallel frameworks. We must protect the Palestinian cause, and strengthen the steadfastness of our people, at home and abroad. We must impose sanctions on anyone who participates in these meetings, without obtaining official permission. I would like to reiterate that we are proud of the sacrifices of the martyrs, the prisoners, and the wounded,” Abbas stated in his speech, as translated by MEMRI.
“We feel the suffering and sacrifices of the refugees at home and abroad. It is our responsibility to bring the displaced people back to their homes, in Gaza, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas, and to provide shelter and services to them. I told you once, and I stand by my word, that if we have only a single penny left, it will go to the prisoners and the martyrs. I will not allow [anyone] – and neither will you – to remove any commitment, interest, or penny that is given to them. They must receive everything they did in the past, and they are more honorable than all of us,” he emphasized.
PA officials have shown no signs of backing down on the issue of payments to terrorists, reiterating that the PA will continue funding salaries for those involved in terror activities.
Abbas has previously labeled the PA’s ongoing payments to terrorists as a “red line,” making it clear that this practice would not be stopped under any circumstances. In response to this policy, the Israeli government has previously decided to offset the taxes it collects on behalf of the PA, due to the financial support the PA provides to terrorists and their families.
{Matzav.com Israel}