Israel seeks to cut off funds for families of prisoners

Israel has long claimed that the money the Palestinian Authority pays to the families of Palestinian "martyrs" killed or imprisoned in Israel amounts to incentives to commit murder, and now the Knesset is considering a bill to prevent such payments.
A boy holds a picture of female Palestinian prisoner Israa Jabees during a rally calling on Israel to release her, in the West Bank city of Hebron January 16, 2018. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma - RC19BF2EB890
A boy holds a picture of Palestinian prisoner Israa Jabees during a rally calling on Israel to release her, in the West Bank city of Hebron, Jan. 16, 2018. - REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
Aziza Nofal.jpg
Aziza Nofal
@azizanofal
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RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinians have been preoccupied with news that the Israeli Knesset is considering legislation designed to keep the Palestinian Authority (PA) from paying allowances to prisoners, "martyrs" and their families. 

Legislators discussed the proposal Jan. 9. If passed, the law would pose an economic threat to the families of more than 6,500 prisoners in Israeli jails and a similar number of Palestinians who have died or have been disabled while fighting Israel. These families obtain stipends from the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs.

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