Palestinian Terrorists Released in Ceasefire Deal Leave Israeli Jails as Millionaires

Latest Developments

Released Terrorists Earned Millions in Prison: An estimated 316 terrorists released by Israel during the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza have become millionaires as a result of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA’s) “pay-for-slay” program. The PA has reportedly paid over 506 million shekels ($142 million) in stipends to incarcerated terrorists set to be released by Israel under the deal, with top earner Muhammad al-Tous — who was convicted of murder and involvement in terror attacks in 1985 —earning 2.2 million shekels ($631,394).
Pay for Slay: The PA’s pay-for-slay policy rewards terrorists in Israeli prisons as well as their families with monthly stipends utilizing multiple funds. The “Prisoner’s Fund” pays convicted terrorists directly, while the “Martyr’s Fund” pays the families of terrorists who were killed while carrying out attacks. Israel has attempted to slow the flow of these funds, passing a law in 2018 that deducts the total amount from taxes Israel collects and transfers to the PA. In 2020, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of the funds after the PA threatened to end coordination with Israel.
Taylor Force Act Attempts to Stem Cash Flow to Terrorists: The United States adopted the Taylor Force Act in 2018, named for an American veteran killed in a Palestinian terror attack two years earlier. The bill placed conditions on U.S. aid to the PA to prevent the money from being used for terrorists’ stipends. Despite the implementation of the act, the PA has pledged to continue paying terror stipends.

FDD Expert Response

“The Palestinian Authority’s ‘pay-for-slay’ program is akin to Hamas charities that support the families of terrorists. Effectively, it’s a competition with Hamas as to which organization cares more for the families of dead and imprisoned terrorists. This strategy is a self-inflicting wound, as the Palestinian Authority clings to a program that rewards terrorism while demanding that Israel and the international community recognize it as a legitimate actor. The problem is that you can’t have both.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“The Palestinian Authority, Israel’s supposed peace partner, has paid millions to the terrorists being released in exchange for Israeli hostages. While President Trump is in full swing when it comes to thinking outside the box and bypassing bad options, he should put an end to the pay-for-slay policy that rewards Palestinians for killing Jews. Peace and progress won’t be possible until Palestinian society stops glorifying antisemitic savagery.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“The Palestinian Authority has proven itself capable of laundering millions of dollars in humanitarian aid and economic assistance to provide direct cash payments to terrorists who have murdered Americans and Israelis. The Palestinian Authority cannot be allowed to function as a guarantor of subsidized income to those perpetuating the massacre of civilians.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations