PA may revise payments to families of suspected attackers

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is reportedly considering changes to its policy of providing financial stipends to the families of individuals accused of carrying out attacks on Israeli, according to a report by the Hebrew-language news outlet Walla on Thursday. 

The PA’s legal representative reportedly stated during a compensation lawsuit filed by Israelis against the PA that “intensive discussions” are underway.

The remarks were made during a case in the Central Court in Jerusalem, where an Israeli woman and her daughter are suing the Fatah-led PA for 5 million Israeli shekels (US$1.35 million) in damages, over injuries they sustained in a 2016 Palestinian suicide bombing on a Jerusalem bus. 

“I know that intensive discussions are taking place, and there may be a significant shift in this policy,” the PA’s legal representative said. 

“As I mentioned, the law impacts the Palestinian Authority’s defence strategy. A High Court ruling could potentially overturn the law under which this compensation claim was filed [the law allowing Israeli families to seek compensation from the PA for financially supporting the families of Palestinian operatives], and the PA’s stance on this policy may change.” 

The PA’s attorney indicated that discussions are ongoing in the Palestinian Authority about revisions to the financial allowances provided to prisoners and families of individuals accused of attacks by Israel.

“The law has reshaped the PA’s legal defence arguments,” the lawyer explained, adding that an Israeli Supreme Court ruling could invalidate the law that serves as the basis for the lawsuit. 

This law, passed by the Israeli Knesset last year, allows families of those killed in attacks to seek financial compensation from the PA.

Following its enactment, the PA petitioned the Supreme Court to repeal the legislation, though the Israeli attorney general opposed the move. 

The case against the PA reflects broader tensions over its policy of paying stipends to prisoners and families of Palestinians.  

The PA provides various social payments to the families of Palestinians detained by Israel or killed in violent incidents, regardless of whether they were involved in attacks or killed by Israeli forces.

These payments often serve as a crucial source of income for families, many of whom have lost their primary breadwinners; however, Israel and its allies claim that the practice “incentivises violence”. 

Walla reported that recent negotiations between the United States and the PA, prompted by US legislation barring economic aid to the PA unless it ends these payments, have resulted in a draft agreement. 

American and Israeli officials claimed the Israeli security establishment supports the proposed changes.  

However, the PA reportedly delayed implementing the agreement, awaiting the Trump administration’s stance before proceeding. 

The Jerusalem District Court recently ordered the confiscation of 20 million shekels ($5.5 million) from Palestinian tax revenues, which Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.  

The funds are to be used as compensation for the families of two settlers killed in Huwara village, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank in 2023. 

According to Hebrew Channel 7, the court’s decision followed a lawsuit filed by the settlers’ families last week under Israel’s victims’ compensation program.