Defense Minister Israel Katz announced new sanctions on Tuesday targeting security prisoners and their families who are Israeli citizens and residents receiving “pay for slay” payouts from the Palestinian Authority
Following the decision, Israeli security forces conducted raids on multiple homes, confiscating cash and assets worth hundreds of thousands of shekels, the Defense Ministry said. The funds, Katz said, were payments made by the PA to convicted terrorists and their families as compensation for past attacks.
In addition to the sanctions, Israel froze NIS 470 million ($131 million) in PA funds, which Katz stated would be redirected to support victims of terror. He condemned the payments as “blood money” that “fuels terrorism” and reiterated Israel’s commitment to combating terror through military, economic, and diplomatic measures.
“We will not allow the Palestinian Authority to continue rewarding terrorists for murdering and harming Israeli citizens,” Katz declared.