The PA and PLO have provided salaries or benefits to prisoners held for security offenses and assistance to families of people killed during attacks. The policy has drawn sustained US opposition because payments connected to violent offenses can reward participation in terrorism. Eligibility and rates vary by program and date.
What US law restricts
Congress enacted the Taylor Force Act in 2018. It restricts specified Economic Support Fund assistance for the Judea and Samaria and Gaza that directly benefits the PA, unless the Secretary of State certifies that the PA has ended the covered payments and met other statutory conditions. The law includes exceptions, including programs that directly benefit people in need and support peace and development; it is not a blanket cutoff of every US-funded program.
The Act’s findings distinguish direct budget support from other assistance: the United States did not provide direct budgetary support to the PA, while it funded programs and paid certain PA-held debts. The law also urges a needs-based support system rather than payments contingent on violence. That distinction matters when describing both the policy and the US response.
Payments covered by the law
The statute describes payments to people imprisoned after conviction for terrorism and to families of people killed while committing attacks.
Why the policy matters to Israel
Payments tied to violent acts weaken the incentive to reject terrorism and obstruct confidence in PA commitments to peaceful governance. A transparent, needs-based welfare program can support families without rewarding attacks. For the wider political divide shaping PA policy, see Hamas and Fatah’s power struggle.