The Palestinian Authority (PA) maintains a long-standing institutional practice of providing financial rewards to individuals who commit acts of violence against Israelis, as well as to the families of those killed during such activities. Often referred to by critics as the 'Pay to Slay' policy, this system is managed through two primary entities: the Martyrs' Fund and the Prisoners' Fund. These payments are not based on social need but are strictly calculated according to the severity of the crime and the length of the resulting prison sentence. By codifying these rewards into law, the PA has integrated the incentivization of terrorism into its formal administrative and legal framework. This practice remains a central pillar of Palestinian political identity and internal governance.
Background and Institutional History
The roots of this financial system predate the PA, originating with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the 1960s as a way to support the families of its militants. However, following the establishment of the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords, the system was significantly expanded and formalized through domestic legislation. In 2004 and 2013, PA President Mahmoud Abbas signed laws that specifically guaranteed monthly stipends to prisoners in Israeli jails, asserting that they are a "fighting sector" of Palestinian society. This