Mahmoud Abbas Ends Stipends for Families of Imprisoned Palestinians and ‘Martyrs’

The decision to end stipends for the families of imprisoned Palestinians and ‘martyrs’ was announced by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday (10.02.2025). The Palestinian Authority, led by Abbas, declared that it is ending the system of ‘granting stipends’ to the families of detainees, injured individuals, and ‘martyrs,’ responding to a long-standing request from the United States. According to an official statement released by the Palestinian news agency ‘Wafa,’ the decree restructures the social security system and withdraws stipends given to the families of those imprisoned in Israel and families of Palestinians killed by the Israeli army. Israel has argued for years that this system ‘encouraged terrorism,’ and the current Benjamin Netanyahu government had ‘frozen’ funds destined for the Palestinian Authority due to the continuation of these payments.