Abbas promises UN that PA will reform after France recognizes Palestinian state, says pay to slay payments are over

In virtual remarks to the UN two-state solution conference, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says that the PA is in the midst of a “comprehensive reform agenda” that will better position it to serve as the unified governing body of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The agenda will promote good governance, transparency, the rule of law and reforms of the PA’s financial system and education systems. The latter reform will be in line with UNESCO standards and be achieved within two years, Abbas says.

He goes on to confirm The Times of Israel’s reporting on the PA’s reform of its controversial welfare system, which critics dubbed “pay-to-slay” as it rewarded prisoners based on the length of their sentence.

“We’re establishing a unified social welfare system after the abolition of all previous payments to the families of prisoners and martyrs. This system is currently undergoing international audit by a specialized international firm,” Abbas says.

The PA president commits to holding elections under international observance within one year after the end of the war in Gaza. In his June letter to French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, though, he committed to holding elections within one year of that date, with no conditionality mentioned regarding the war in Gaza.

Abbas also pledges to draft an “interim constitution” within three months to ensure that all parties participating in elections adhere to the Palestine Liberation Organization’s charter, which includes recognition of Israel.

He says Ramallah’s goal is to establish a democratic state based on the rule of law, pluralism, power-sharing, equality, justice and empowerment of women and youth.