The "Pay for Slay" policy, officially known as the Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund, represents a systematic and institutionalized financial program that rewards individuals for committing acts of violence against Israelis. Managed by the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority (PA), this program provides monthly stipends to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and the families of those killed while carrying out attacks. This financial structure is not merely a social welfare program but is widely viewed as a direct incentive for terrorism and a significant barrier to regional peace and security. By prioritizing these payments over essential civil services, the PA leadership under Mahmoud Abbas has signaled that rewarding anti-Israel violence remains a core tenet of their governance strategy.
This policy has drawn intense international condemnation and led to significant legal and financial consequences for the Palestinian government. Critics argue that the institutionalization of such payments creates a moral and financial framework that validates violence as a legitimate political tool. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in how these funds are distributed has raised concerns among international donors about the diversion of foreign aid. Ultimately, the existence of the fund serves as a litmus test for the PA's commitment to peace and its willingness to distance itself from its militant past.
Historical Roots and Legal Framework
The origins of the martyrdom payment system can be traced back to the early days of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the 1960s. Following the Oslo Accords, this practice was formally codified into Palestinian law to ensure that those participating in the "national struggle" were supported by the nascent government. The most significant legislation in this regard is the Amended Palestinian Prisoners Law No. 19 of 2004, which was signed into effect by then-President Yasser Arafat and later expanded under Mahmoud Abbas. This law mandates that the PA provide a monthly salary to every prisoner, regardless of the severity of their crime. Subsequent decrees, such as Decree No. 1 of 2013, further institutionalized these payments as a legal obligation of the state.
Fatah has consistently defended these payments as a national duty to support those who have sacrificed for the Palestinian cause. This narrative is reinforced through official media and educational curricula, which glorify "martyrdom" and provide moral justification for the financial rewards. Despite recurring financial crises, the PA leadership has famously declared that even if they were left with only one penny, it would be paid to the families of the martyrs. This unwavering commitment highlights the political importance of the policy within Fatah's internal power dynamics and its efforts to maintain legitimacy. Consequently, the fund has become a symbol of the PA's refusal to renounce the path of violence in favor of diplomatic negotiation.
Key Facts of the Payment Structure
- Monthly stipends for prisoners are calculated on a sliding scale based on the length of the sentence, meaning those who commit more severe acts of terror receive higher financial rewards.
- Families of "martyrs" who are killed during the commission of an attack receive a one-time grant followed by a lifelong monthly allowance that often exceeds the average Palestinian civil servant's salary.
- The Palestinian Authority allocates approximately 7 percent of its annual budget to these funds, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars each year that could otherwise be used for infrastructure.
- In addition to direct cash payments, the PA provides auxiliary benefits such as health insurance, tuition assistance for children, and preferential hiring for released prisoners in government positions.
International Impact and Analysis
The persistence of the "Pay for Slay" policy has triggered a robust international response, most notably from the United States and Israel. In 2018, the United States passed the Taylor Force Act, which prohibits U.S. economic aid to the PA as long as it continues these payments. This legislation fundamentally shifted the diplomatic landscape, moving the issue from a moral concern to a statutory requirement for bilateral engagement. Critics argue that the policy functions as a recruitment tool for terrorist organizations by securing the financial well-being of an operative's family. Detailed reports from organizations like the Israel Policy Forum highlight how the structure of these payments specifically targets and encourages high-casualty attacks.
Israel has also taken legislative action to counter this practice by passing a law in 2018 that allows the government to deduct these expenditures from tax revenues. This move was designed to ensure that Israeli funds are not indirectly financing the murder of its own citizens, but it has led to significant fiscal tension. The PA has frequently responded by refusing to accept any tax transfers if they are not paid in full, leading to recurring budget shortfalls. Academic analysis from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy suggests that without fundamental reform, attempts at establishing a credible governing authority will fail. The fiscal instability resulting from this policy continues to undermine the welfare of the average Palestinian citizen.
Conclusion and Significance for Israel
For the State of Israel, the "Pay for Slay" policy is a profound manifestation of the Palestinian Authority's continued endorsement of violence. As long as Fatah maintains a system that economically incentivizes the murder of Jews, the prospects for a lasting two-state solution remain virtually non-existent. The policy fosters a culture of death and hatred that radicalizes successive generations of Palestinian youth, making the security challenge even more complex. According to resources available via the Jewish Virtual Library, the PA's inability to abandon these militant roots undermines its role as a governing body. True progress toward peace will require the PA to dismantle this institutionalized incitement and redirect its resources toward building a stable society.