Court Ruling Grants Bereaved Families Access to $43 Million in Palestinian Authority Funds

The Jerusalem District Court issued a provisional order on Wednesday, allowing bereaved Israeli families to seize 160 million shekels ($43 million) in Palestinian Authority (P.A.) funds. The court’s decision marks a significant step in a lawsuit filed by families who lost relatives to terrorism in recent years, including victims of the 2022 Independence Day ax attack in Elad and the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre at the Supernova festival.

The lawsuit, filed in July, seeks 210 million shekels in damages. If successful, the court’s ruling would distribute 10 million shekels ($2.7 million) to each family among the plaintiffs. This case is the first legal action since the Knesset passed the “Compensation for Terror Victims Bill,” which mandates courts to award at least 10 million shekels per fatality in terror-related deaths.

The plaintiffs argue that the Palestinian Authority is responsible for encouraging and financially supporting terrorism through its controversial “pay for slay” policy. This system, officially codified in P.A. law, provides monthly stipends to convicted terrorists and their families. Payments are granted as long as recipients live, fueling claims that the P.A. incentivizes violence.

“The war on terror is currently focused in two areas: in the Gaza Strip and in the courtrooms,” attorney Barak Kedem, representing the plaintiffs, told Ynet. “In Gaza, our soldiers are fighting terrorism. In the courtrooms, we fight the encouragement of terrorism by the Palestinian Authority, which pays vast monthly salaries to terrorists in exchange for the blood they shed.”

The lawsuit highlights a broader issue: since the Oct. 7 massacre, the P.A. has reportedly added thousands of Palestinians to its terror stipend list. According to Palestine Media Watch, 3,550 imprisoned terrorists and over 20,000 families of slain terrorists now qualify for payments.

The court’s ruling sets a precedent for victims seeking compensation from entities that support or fund terrorism. As the legal battle continues, the plaintiffs hope to hold the P.A. accountable for its role in promoting violence against Israeli civilians.

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