OPINION:
“Pay to Slay” refers to the Palestinian Authority’s practice of compensating terrorists who go to prison for attempting to murder Israelis or Americans. It also refers to money given to the families of terrorists who are killed murdering or trying to murder Israelis or Americans.
For many years, this policy saw huge sums paid to killers and/or the families of killers. But the 2016 murder of Taylor Force, an American tourist in Israel, brought attention and shame to it, since America has been generous in giving foreign aid to the Palestinians.
Then-President Donald Trump signed into law the Taylor Force Act, which requires American aid to be reduced by the amount of money paid in the Palestinian Authority’s “Pay to Slay” program. The response was to continue “Pay to Slay,” even though it brought hardship to the Palestinian people. For example, one major Gaza Strip hospital could not afford a cardiologist. Eventually, Mr. Trump stopped all foreign aid to the Palestinian Authority.
In 2021, when President Biden came into office, he reestablished financial aid to Gaza — over the objections of Israel and Congress members who supported the Taylor Force Act. In total, as of March, a total of over $1 billion in foreign aid has gone to the Palestinian Authority. Much of this was funneled to terrorists or their families.
To me, this shows the dedication of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people to kill Jews and Israelis at any cost. This does not bode well for future peace.
PATRICIA WINFIELD
Boca Raton, Florida
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