Will European investment into Palestinian economy undermine Israel’s efforts to end pay-for-slay?

A significant European financial investment in the West Bank could jeopardize Israel's attempts to halt the Palestinian Authority's "pay-for-slay" policy, an expert told The Jerusalem Post. The European Investment Bank and the European Commission announced a €395 million injection to support Palestinian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

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Banks that are receiving the money directly from the EU have the bank accounts paying terror salaries to terrorists and their families.

This funding will bypass the Palestinian Authority, instead flowing directly through the Bank of Palestine, the National Bank, Quds Bank, Cairo Amman Bank, and Palestine Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank confirmed these institutions will "expand access to credit through local financial intermediaries." However, Itamar Marcus, founder and director of Palestinian Media Watch, pointed out that the Bank of Palestine has reportedly refused requests to close accounts used to distribute payments to released terrorists.

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As long as the EU continues injecting money to strengthen the economy that enables the PA to limp along, without first seeing fundamental reforms throughout Palestinian society, it is responsible for Palestinian youth being brought up to believe that violence and terror will ultimately destroy Israel. Conflict and terror will continue for another generation, courtesy of the EU.

"Banks that are receiving the money directly from the EU have the bank accounts paying terror salaries to terrorists and their families," Marcus stated. He argued that continued EU investment, without fundamental reforms in Palestinian society, makes the EU responsible for fostering a belief that violence against Israel will ultimately succeed. The European Investment Bank stated the funds aim to "expand access to affordable financing for Palestinian businesses," noting that reliable access to finance is crucial for businesses operating under difficult conditions. The package also includes €2.1 million in technical assistance.

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Palestinian businesses need reliable access to finance if they are to continue operating, investing and protecting livelihoods under extremely difficult conditions.