Shtayyeh: We will not stop paying prisoners and “Martyrs”
“In a speech at the start of [the PA government’s weekly] meeting, [PA] Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh said that Israel is required to stop the aggression against our people, the killing, the settlement enterprise, and the theft of our money (refers to Israel’s Anti “Pay-for-Slay” Law to deduct PA terror salaries; see note below -Ed.), and to return to the path whose title is ending the occupation in accordance with the resolutions of the international institutions and international law.
He added: ‘The talk about returning the money on condition that we stop our steps in the international organizations – this is something that will not happen. We are continuing this. So too regarding stopping the payments to the families of the Martyrs and the prisoners by the PA – this will not happen either. [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas – and us after him – has expressed this position on many opportunities.’
He emphasized that the money being held by Israel is our money, and that Israel must transfer it to us without extortion or conditions. He also said that our people is very familiar with the facts and rejects this extortion.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 11, 2023]