Fatah official: “The prisoners and Martyrs are more honorable and nobler than us… They are national fighters”, therefore we must pay their salaries
Official PA TV program Topic of the Day, hosting Fatah Revolutionary Council Secretary Majed Al-Fatiani
Fatah Revolutionary Council Secretary Majed Al-Fatiani: “Under no circumstances are we shackling nor will we shackle Palestine, Jerusalem, or our honor and political honor with money. Regardless of the pressures, our people – when the issue is a national issue and national honor – unites around its political leadership.”
Official PA TV host: “Mr. Majed, some say- this or that side, without mentioning anyone’s names- because there were states that proposed this: Okay, you Palestinians take your money that Israel is giving, even if it is reduced, and afterwards what was deducted will be checked (refers to Israel’s Anti “Pay-for-Slay” Law to deduct terror salaries; see note below –Ed.). What do you say to them?”
Majed Al-Fatiani: “We say to them that the national honor will not be shackled. The prisoners and Martyrs are more honorable and nobler than us. They have sacrificed their lives and freedom for this homeland. They are not highway robbers! They are national fighters. They and their families are worthy of honor and care from us, that we will make this life more pleasant for them. We have sat in our chairs as senior officials on the basis of the struggles of these Martyrs and prisoners. Therefore their honor is preserved. Before one bullet was fired in the history of the Palestinian revolution, the Fatah Movement established this institution that is involved in taking care of the prisoners and Martyrs – before a bullet was fired. How could we Palestinians agree to compromise on the honor and needs of the families?”
Israel's Anti "Pay-for-Slay" Law - Israeli law stating that the PA payments to terrorists and the families of dead terrorists is a financial incentive to terror. The law instructs the state to deduct and freeze the amount of money the PA pays in salaries to imprisoned terrorists and families of "Martyrs" from the tax money Israel collects for the PA. Should the PA stop these payments for a full year, the Israeli government would have the option of giving all or part of the frozen money to the PA. The law was enacted by the Israeli Parliament on July 2, 2018. During the parliamentary vote, the law's sponsor Avi Dichter said: “The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee received much help in its deliberations... from Palestinian Media Watch who provided us with authentic data that enabled productive and professional deliberations, nuances that are very difficult to achieve without precise data.” [Israeli Parliament website, July 2, 2018] In accordance with the law, as of September 2021 Israel’s Security Cabinet had ordered the freeze of 1.857 billion shekels ($580.15 million) - the sum equivalent to the PA payments to terrorists in 2018, 2019, and 2020.