The Palestinian Authority (PA) has declared the termination of its controversial "pay for slay" program, which provided financial aid to Palestinian prisoners and families of those killed or injured in conflicts with Israel. This announcement follows pressure from the Trump administration and comes amidst conflicting reports about the program's actual fate.

The PA's official news agency, WAFA, reported that Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree revoking the relevant articles within existing laws and regulations. They claim the responsibility for social welfare programs has been shifted to the Palestinian Economic Empowerment Foundation. While some sources, including the Times of Israel, appear to confirm this revocation, skepticism remains.

Israeli officials have expressed concerns that this move is a deceptive tactic. Oren Marmorstein, Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman, suggested the PA may be establishing alternative payment channels to continue supporting the families of those involved in attacks against Israelis. This suspicion is fueled by the close ties between the newly designated foundation and the PA's Ministry of Social Development, raising doubts about the program's genuine discontinuation.

Flags displayed above a poster of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

The "pay for slay" policy drew significant attention after the murder of Taylor Force, a US Army veteran, in 2016. The subsequent Taylor Force Act, signed into law in 2018, aimed to pressure the PA to end these payments. Experts, like Asher Fredman of the Misgav Institute for National Security, question whether the recent announcement represents a genuine shift or a superficial change designed to appease the Trump administration.

Buses transporting released Palestinian prisoners in Ramallah. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

The timing of this announcement, coinciding with the transition to a new US administration, has also raised eyebrows. Some analysts believe the PA is attempting to preemptively improve relations with the incoming administration and avoid the friction experienced during the first Trump term, particularly after the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Image of a security prisoner's bound hands. (Gideon Markowicz/TPS-IL)

While the PA’s announcement has been presented as a significant concession, questions about its sincerity and long-term impact persist. Critics, including Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, emphasize the need for concrete actions to demonstrate a genuine commitment to ending support for violence against Israelis.

The PA has not responded to requests for comment on these developments. The international community will be watching closely to see if this decision translates into a tangible change in policy and a reduction in tensions in the region.