The Palestinian Authority will not deduct a single penny from its “pay-for-slay” fund that rewards terrorists and their families for their attacks, P.A. chief Mahmoud Abbas told members of his ruling Fatah faction, according to translated remarks Palestinian Media Watch published on Thursday.
“We again emphasize that we are proud of the sacrifices made by the martyrs, prisoners and wounded [terrorists],” the P.A. leader said at the Feb. 21 gathering of the Revolutionary Council—Fatah’s second-highest body, which is chaired by Abbas—in Ramallah, Samaria.
“I told you once and I stand by my word: Even if we have [only] one penny left, it is for the prisoners and the martyrs,” he continued, echoing previous remarks made during a July 23, 2018, address in the Palestinian city.
The P.A. “will not agree to reduce any obligation, any interest, or any penny given to them,” Abbas said. He concluded, “They must receive everything, as in the past, and they are more precious than all of us.”
In a statement issued following its annual gathering last week, the Revolutionary Council reiterated Fatah’s “commitment to supporting the families of martyrs, prisoners and injured individuals, emphasizing that they are ‘heroes of freedom’ who deserve top priority in terms of protection and care,” the P.A.’s official Wafa news agency reported.
The Palestinian faction was preparing to integrate terrorists released under the current hostage deal with Gaza-based Hamas into “the movement and national frameworks,” the announcement noted.
According to Wafa, the Revolutionary Council vowed to “double its efforts” to support prisoners. “Mercy for the martyrs, freedom for the prisoners and healing for the wounded,” the statement concluded.
Although international media have interpreted a Feb. 10 statement by Abbas as ending the P.A.’s “pay-for-slay” program, which it calls the “Martyrs’ Fund,” in which terrorists and their families are rewarded monthly stipends for attacking Jews, the announcement said Ramallah was transferring its payment allocation system from a ministry to an “independent” foundation.
Ramallah has made similar announcements in the past when facing Western scrutiny. In 2014, when the “pay-for-slay” program first made news, the P.A. felt its funding sources threatened. It declared that it was closing the Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs and no longer paying stipends.
Prisoner payments are popular among the public in P.A.-controlled areas, with 91% supporting them, according to a 2017 poll. JNS
{Matzav.com}
And Hamas can’t rule gaza but the pa can. What exactly is the difference
This sick terrorist wearing a suit just told us – again, that the most valuable thing in their lives is dead jews, I am sorry Israelis How then is this dog, 2 legged dog a negotiating partner.
well said
And the morally handicapped Democrats wonder why Israel will not accept Abbas taking control of Gaza. These people are such degenerates that they should not even have control anywhere in the Middle East.
And this thug wants to run Gaza. And probably if Biden was still prez. he would have pressured Israel to hand over Gaza to Abbas..
waiting for abbas to become a martyr. entire world will fund heroic monster.
pay for slay
Keep digging your own political grave, Abbas, by speaking out and showing everyone that the so-called palestinians are just as much murderers and terrorists as Hamas and have forfeited any consideration of a two state solution or the palestinian (sic) people even remaining in Gaza. period.
Yea, thats why we have to make sure these vile creatures don’t have to a penny left to them! And wow, finally he admits he’s been lying all along.