Israel Katz: Israel to confiscate Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists

As part of Israel's war on terrorism, Defense Minister Israel Katz is imposing sanctions on Palestinian Authority payments to released terrorists who are residents or citizens of Israel, according to a statement released today (Tuesday).

The Defense Minster's decision was made in accordance with the recommendation of the Economic Counter-Terrorism Staff (ECTS) in the Ministry of Defense and in cooperation with the Shin Bet.

These sanctions are being imposed as part of the defense establishment's economic campaign against terrorist organizations, including the Palestinian Authority's payments to security prisoners.

The terror funds that the Defense Minister ordered to seize were paid by the Palestinian Authority to terrorists serving prison sentences in Israeli prisons, released prisoners, and their family members as compensation for the terrorist acts they committed, a program pro-Israel advocates call "pay for slay." The offenses include attempted kidnapping of soldiers, preparation of explosive devices, smuggling of explosives, and more.

Following the imposition of sanctions, Israel Police forces and ECTS personnel raided the residences of those subject to the orders and seized property and cash amounting to hundreds of thousands of shekels.

According to a report submitted by the Defense Minister to the Cabinet on Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists with terrorism links in 2024, 470,000,000 NIS from clearing funds intended for the Palestinian Authority were frozen and will be transferred to compensate victims of terrorism and families of terrorism victims.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that "we will not allow the Palestinian Authority to continue rewarding terrorists for murdering and harming Israeli citizens. The blood money that the Palestinian Authority pays to terrorists is fuel for terrorism. The State of Israel is in a comprehensive war against terrorism – on the battlefield, in the economic sphere, and in every arena where it is required. Whoever chooses to act against the State of Israel will pay a heavy price for it. The economic campaign against terrorism through the ECTS and other bodies will continue, and the Palestinian Authority's payments to terrorists will face a tough and uncompromising hand. The frozen funds will be transferred to compensate families of terrorism victims – instead of serving as a prize for murderers."