Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to present the annual report to the Security Cabinet today (Tuesday), quantifying the Palestinian Authority’s payments to terrorists in connection with terrorism in 2024. It is estimated that there will likely be a decrease in the Palestinian Authority’s payments to terrorists for the first time in decades, contrary to forecasts that predicted a sharp increase following the October 7 massacre. However, the reasons for this are mainly bureaucratic.
“A Direct Result of Measures Taken by Israel”
“Despite expecting an increase in payments following the massacre, the reality shows a completely opposite picture,” says Lt. Col. (res.) Adv. Maurice Hirsch, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. “The 30-40% decrease results from a combination of factors, including preventing Red Cross visits to prisons, increased economic pressure on the Palestinian Authority, and disruptions in Gaza.”
According to Hirsch: “It is important to emphasize that this is not an ideological change by the Palestinian Authority, but a direct result of measures taken by Israel. New data from the Ministry of Finance shows that Israel deducted about 3 billion shekels from the Palestinian Authority’s funds until November 2024.” According to the researcher, 2024 proves that terrorist payments can be reduced through a combination of economic, legal, and operational measures. Hirsch concludes: “Continued pressure in 2025 may lead to further reductions in terrorist compensation.”
Since its establishment, the Palestinian Authority has been providing financial compensation to terrorists. The recipients are divided into two groups: imprisoned terrorists, who receive regular monthly salaries from the PA, often continuing even after their release, and injured terrorists and families of deceased terrorists, who receive monthly stipends. Researchers estimate these payments total around one billion shekels per year.
Reasons for Expected Decrease in Payments
-
- Prevention of Red Cross Visits: Following the massacre, Israel decided to prevent Red Cross visits to imprisoned terrorists, partly due to the organization’s failure to assist Israelis abducted by terrorist organizations. Without these visits, prisoners struggled to complete and submit the required forms, significantly impacting the PA’s ability to make payments.
- Economic Pressure: Since the massacre, the PA has been under considerable economic strain. New data presented to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs shows a clear picture: alongside the overall decrease in revenue, Israel began deducting the amounts previously transferred to Gaza from the funds transferred to the PA. Monthly deductions range from 235 million to 275 million shekels, totaling around three billion by the end of November 2024. This year, due to economic pressure, the PA was forced to include even terrorists in the economic cuts, with payment volumes expected to drop by 30-40% due to these cuts alone.
- Disruptions Following Gaza Conflict: The conflict in Gaza caused severe disruptions in various services, such as internet connectivity and financial services. Terrorist families struggle to submit the necessary documents to the PA and often even to receive funds. Additionally, the attacks on Hamas institutions in Gaza hinder the production of basic documents, such as death certificates required for compensation for deceased terrorists.
- “Further Reduction in Terror Payments Possible”In conclusion, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs states: “The year 2024 should serve as an example that the Palestinian Authority’s payments to terrorists can be reduced using a combination of economic, legal, and operational measures. If pressure and difficulties are increased, it may be possible to achieve further reductions in terrorist compensation in 2025, thereby strengthening the fight against Palestinian Authority support for terrorism.”
