Palestinian Banks Heed Warning of Israeli NGO, Block Access to Terrorist Accounts

Palestinian banks moved to protect themselves ahead of a new Israeli anti-terrorism law that comes into effect May 9 and would leave them liable to be sued if they continued to accept tens of millions of dollars monthly in pay-for-slay money from the PA.

By Yakir Benzion, United With Israel

One of the architects of a new Israeli law to stop the Palestinians from paying salaries and stipends to convicted terrorists and their families said Friday he was “loving it” that Palestinian banks are blocking access to terrorists’ bank accounts.

“Palestine Media Watch is glad to see that the banks heeded our warning and are taking the steps necessary to avoid both criminal and civil liability,” Maurice Hirsch told United With Israel.

Hirsch is director of Legal Strategies at the media watchdog organization and heads PMW’s legal campaign to stop the “pay-for-slay” phenomenon. The Palestinian Authority (PA) pays $150 million annually to the families of Palestinians who were killed in attacks against Israelis, including mass murders like car bombings and suicide bombings, and to terrorists in jail convicted of attacking or killing Israelis.

“The fact that the Palestinian Authority has paid billions of shekels of rewards to terrorists is despicable,” Hirsch said.

Last month, his organization sent a letter warning the banks to drop the accounts of convicted terrorists who get paid by the PA. Banks that continued to maintain the accounts of terrorists would expose their management and employees to liability as “partners in crime.”

“As Palestinian Media Watch warned the banks that operate in the PA controlled areas, the new anti-terrorism law criminalizes every aspect of that practice, including the provision of banking services to the terrorists,” Hirsch explained.

Last week, Hirsch said that after more than a $1 billion payout over the years for Pay-for-Slay, the goal of the new law is to “close the noose around this disgraceful policy.”

“The time has come for Israel to more actively and aggressively contend with the PA policy,” he said.

HELP ISRAELIS BATTLE CORONA!

Donate to the Corona Emergency Relief Fund. Coronavirus has taken a huge toll on the people of Israel. The poor, elderly and ill are most vulnerable.

Israeli soldiers, security officers and medical care providers operate under great danger and risk to life.

Over 1 million Israelis are out of work. Many cannot make ends meet. We provide financial aid, food, medical supplies and more. Funds are distributed where needed most. The time to act is now!

United with Israel extends a special note of appreciation to the Genesis Prize for their generous support.

CLICK HERE TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL TODAY!

Send Passover Packages to Needy Israeli Soldiers - Bring Them Joy!

We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Israel. Since October 7th, soldiers have been on the battlefield for months - many are hoping to come home for Passover.

Join us in sending Passover food packages (and personal notes) to Israeli soldiers and their families.

Many soldiers spend the Passover holiday with needy families back home. The soldiers greatly appreciate your love and concern. Bring them Passover joy!

CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR PACKAGE AND NOTE TO ISRAELI SOLDIERS!