The Palestinian Authority’s “Pay for Slay” Roadblock

What’s happening: The United States is urging the Palestinian Authority (P.A.) to reform its “Pay for Slay” program.

Context: The P.A.’s Martyrs Fund, commonly referred to as “Pay for Slay,” rewards the families of terrorists with a pension who carry out attacks against Jews. The Palestinian government allocates hundreds of millions of dollars of its annual budget to the program.

• Growth: The program has grown 67% over the past six months. The families of more than 600 Hamas terrorists who participated in the October 7 attack will be receiving regular payments, along with thousands who have been arrested in the West Bank.

Why it matters: The P.A. is simultaneously subsidizing terrorism and claiming to be Israel’s and the United States’ moderate partner for peace.

Diplomacy: The U.S. is reportedly closing in on a deal with the P.A. to reform this program and replace it with a broadly applicable welfare program.

• Kid gloves: In a call with P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he is looking “forward to working with” the P.A., is pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza, and is committed to creating a Palestinian state. There was no mention of the “pay for slay” program.

• Counterproductive? The affectionate attitude toward the P.A. may signal the U.S. is not serious about its state-sponsored funding of terrorists.

Contrast: America’s communication with the P.A. has a strikingly different tone compared to the Biden administration and the Israeli government.

• A harsher tone: The Biden administration has publicly and privately pressured Israel not to enter Rafah - Hamas’s last stronghold - and to instead pursue a ceasefire agreement despite the terror group’s continual rejection.