Is the Palestinian Authority ending "pay to slay" for terrorists?

The cabinet learned last night (Monday) that Palestinian Authority has reduced or eliminated payments for terrorists involved in October 7 and reduced payments for terrorists overall, according to Israel Hayom.

The cabinet met last night to discuss two major issues. The first was the state of the second phase of the hostage deal and Israel's stance on the matter. No decisions or votes were taken, leaving the matter in limbo.

The second half of the meeting discussed the deduction of terrorist salaries paid by the Palestinian Authority, based on a law which allows Israel to deduct money paid by the PA to terrorists and their families from the taxes Israel collects for the Authority.

At the cabinet meeting, the ministers were informed that the PA decided to entirely end terrorist stipends to residents of the Gaza Strip who were involved in October 7, and then followed up by ending all terrorist stipends to any Gaza resident involved in terrorism, according to the information presented before the cabinet.

The cabinet was also informed that terrorist stipends that are paid off have been reduced by 20% due to widespread cuts by the PA, which is in financial crisis. Minister Zeev Elkin noted that it was important for the defense establishment to investigate the matter to make sure the stipends were not being paid in some other way.

Ultimately, the cabinet voted to deduct 470 million NIS from the taxes collected from the PA, instead of 600 million NIS deducted in previous years, in recognition of these decisions by the Palestinian Authority.

Israel has repeatedly attacked the Palestinian Authority's insistence on paying out stipends to terrorists, including convicted terrorists, and their families. Israel advocates call the system "pay to slay," arguing that it rewards terrorism and makes the PA part of the problem of terrorism generally.