Israel dismisses PA ‘pay to slay’ reform as ‘fraudulent exercise,’ says terrorists will be paid in other ways

Israel dismisses the reform announced by the Palestinian Authority that canceled legislation establishing controversial payments to the families of Palestinian security prisoners and slain terrorists.

The reform signed by PA President Mahmoud Abbas ends a policy under which the families of security prisoners received stipends based on the length of their relative’s sentence and under which the families of slain attackers receive a semi-annual stipend of several hundred dollars. Now, those seeking welfare payments will be able to apply through a new fund established by the PA, which will adjudicate requests strictly based on financial need.

“This is a new fraudulent exercise by the Palestinian Authority, which intends to continue making payments to terrorists and their families through other channels,” the Foreign Ministry says in a statement.