Mahmoud Abbas Criticized After Canceling Compensation To Families Of Palestinians Imprisoned By Israel

UN Photo/Loey Felipe/President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas

JAKARTA - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas faced criticism from his allies and opponents over the decision to overhaul compensation payments to families of Palestinians killed or imprisoned by Israel.

Palestinian Authority leader Abbas issued the decision on Monday. Abbas canceled the compensation system, which critics have long criticized as an attack that benefits Israel but is considered Palestinians to be an important source of well-being for the families of prisoners.

The sudden announcement appears aimed at eliminating potential sources of tension with US President Donald Trump and efforts to maintain the role of the Palestinian Authority as Washington strengthens its pro-Israeli approach to the conflict, Palestinian analysts say.

"The goal is to try to open a good page with Trump when Trump has completely left Palestine by calling for evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza," said Hani al-Masri, a Palestinian political analyst in Ramallah.

Removing the compensation payment system, which critics have dubbed paid for murder', is the main demand of the US administration in a row. Abbas has long resisted pressure to stop the program.

PA will, on the other hand, provide support to families of prisoners through social welfare networks, according to their needs and not based on the length of their imprisonment. Qadura Fares, a Palestinian official in charge of prisoner affairs, said between 35.000 and 40,000 families would be affected.

Fares, a member of Abbas's Fatah Movement, said the fireball had been thrown into Abbas's lap, stressing the great sensitivity of ending the system introduced under the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the 1990s.