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Peace in Israel Isn't Possible until Palestinians Stop Paying Terrorists to Kill

(USA Today) Maj. (ret.) John Spencer - An 83-year-old Holocaust survivor, Ludmila Lipovsky, was stabbed to death last month in Israel by a 28-year-old Palestinian man from the West Bank. This is yet another example of the violence incentivized by a multimillion dollar program known as "pay to slay," which is written into Palestinian law and governed by the Palestinian Authority. It is a system that rewards Palestinians for committing acts of terrorism against Jewish Israelis. It incentivizes violence, thus undermining any chance of a sustainable peace deal. The payments increase with the length of the prison sentence, which perversely rewards perpetrators of the worst crimes. During incarceration, the Palestinian Authority also pays the individual's social security and pension fees. The payments to prisoners are adjusted to account for increases in the cost of living. Released prisoners receive a lump-sum grant of up to $25,000. Employment in government institutions is guaranteed. Moreover, released prisoners enjoy free college education and lifelong health care. For many Palestinians, the "pay to slay" program represents a pathway to social mobility. In a society plagued by high unemployment and limited opportunities, the program offers guaranteed income, education and employment - benefits beyond what the average Palestinian can expect. This framework ensures that attacks against Israelis remain frequent and deeply ingrained in the fabric of Palestinian society. For Israel and the international community, the "pay to slay" program is a clear obstacle to peace. It is not merely an economic subsidy but a societal institution designed to sustain violence. The program even includes bonuses for Arab-Israeli terrorists. The "pay to slay" program must be dismantled. No serious effort to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can succeed while this program continues to operate. The writer is chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point.
2025-01-12 00:00:00
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