With the inauguration of President Donald Trump, 2025 marks a pivotal moment for change, both in America and the Middle East. It’s past time to dismantle the system funneling donations from well-meaning Western charity-givers to terrorism, violating U.S. and Israeli law. At the core of this issue are the Palestinian Authority’s Martyrs’ Fund and Prisoners’ Fund. The Martyrs’ Fund provides payments to the families of terrorists, while the Prisoners’ Fund, established in 2004, offers stipends to Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails. These programs perpetuate violence, sustained by international funding.

The PA, often seen as a “partner for peace,” has become a clearinghouse for what is known as “pay-for-slay” payments. Under current PA law, convicted terrorists — including those released as part of the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire — are entitled to lifelong compensation. This incentive system undermines peace and rewards violence. The international community, led by the Trump administration, must act swiftly to halt these payments.