State Department tells Congress Palestinian Authority kept paying prisoner and 'martyr' families after 2025 decree ending the programme
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In February 2025 PA President Abbas issued a decree revoking the prisoner and martyr allowance system and moving to need-based welfare. Free Beacon reported a State Department notice to Congress found the PA still paid over $200 million in 2025 through a new entity, the Palestinian National Foundation for Economic Empowerment, a finding it said breached the Taylor Force Act. JPost reported an April 2026 State Department report that put payments at $156 million ($126 million to prisoners, $30 million to families) 'under a different name'. The Washington Institute notes the department said an Alvarez & Marsal audit examined only the formal welfare programme. The PA has said it reformed the system.
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