The Pay-for-Slay program, managed by the Palestinian Authority (PA), has financed terrorism for decades by diverting international aid to reward the families of terrorists killed or imprisoned for carrying out attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers.
The Pay-for-Slay system involves paying monetary rewards to the families of Palestinian terrorists who have been killed or imprisoned. Funded by international aid meant for Palestinian civilians, this program has diverted millions of dollars. Despite sanctions from donors like the U.S. and Israel, the PA continues to finance this practice, attracting young Palestinians seeking financial rewards in a context of poverty and widespread corruption.
Pay-for-Slay: An Incentive for Violence
The Pay-for-Slay program is designed to reward Palestinians involved in acts of terrorism against Israel. For decades, the PA has used international aid funds to compensate the families of terrorists killed or imprisoned. One of the most controversial aspects of this program is that funds meant for the socio-economic development of Palestinians are instead being used to perpetuate violence.
Since the 1970s, nearly $500 million in international aid has been diverted to this program. For example, the family of a deceased terrorist receives an initial payment of $1,700, followed by monthly payments of up to $1,000 depending on the number of dependents. For many Palestinian families living in economic hardship, these amounts represent significant income.
This program creates a dangerous incentive for young Palestinians, often unemployed or living in poverty, to engage in violence. The financial compensation offered by the PA provides a sense of security for their families, turning violence into a means of survival.
International Aid Diverted to Fund Terrorism
Many donor countries have become aware of the misuse of their funds. In 2018, Israel passed a law allowing it to deduct Pay-for-Slay payments from the $130 million it collects in monthly taxes for the PA. Similarly, the U.S. enacted a law that deducts these funds from the $300 million in annual aid it provides to Palestinians.
Despite these efforts, the PA continues to find ways to bypass these restrictions. In 2019, it even threatened to create an economic crisis by refusing any partial payments from Israel or international donors. Although widely condemned internationally, Pay-for-Slay remains a cornerstone of the PA’s policies, with the families of terrorists seen as “national heroes.”
Impact on the Palestinian Population
While the Palestinian Authority continues to finance Pay-for-Slay, the economic consequences for the Palestinian population are dire. By refusing to redistribute the international aid still being provided, the PA creates shortages of food and essential goods in the West Bank, exacerbating poverty. Meanwhile, Palestinian civil servants see their salaries reduced, deepening the region’s economic instability.
Criticism of this program does not only come from Western countries. Some Arab nations, once allies of the Palestinians, express frustration with the PA’s self-destructive behavior and its support for terrorism. The PA is now turning to Russia and oil-rich Arab states for support, but these traditional financial backers are growing weary.
A Well-Oiled Machine but Morally Condemned
Despite sanctions and international pressure, the PA continues to justify the Pay-for-Slay program, citing resistance against Israeli occupation. Arab-language media throughout the Middle East legitimize these payments as a way to support the fight against Israel. However, this glorification of violence diverts essential resources that could be invested in education, healthcare, and economic development for Palestinians.
The annual cost to the PA and Hamas exceeds $400 million, with $200 million going directly to the families of 26,000 dead terrorists and 6,000 wounded in attacks. This system perpetuates a cycle of violence, where young Palestinians are drawn to acts of terrorism to secure financial stability for their families.
A Barrier to Peace
The Pay-for-Slay program is a significant obstacle to peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians. By incentivizing violence and financially rewarding terrorism, it undermines any negotiation process. As long as the PA continues to use its resources to support this system, the international community will remain divided on how to address the Palestinian issue. Stricter sanctions and reforms to international aid are essential steps to ending this economy of terror.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.