U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to demand an end to the Palestinian Authority‘s financial support for individuals and their families who engage in violence against Israel.
Hoping to placate President Donald Trump and assuage the concerns of people against London’s recent decision to recognize a Palestinian state, Starmer is set to establish conditions before any meaningful steps toward diplomatic relations begin. Among the foremost of these is the cancellation of the controversial Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund, the Telegraph reported.
PAMF, called the “pay for slay” scheme by critics, is a welfare program that aims to support individuals arrested or killed during clashes with Israeli security forces and their families.
Other steps that will be required include altering school textbooks believed to be antisemitic and holding new elections.
The plan is part of an orchestrated diplomatic effort, alongside France, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Malta, to put forward conditions to address the concerns of Israel and the United States while setting up relations with a Palestinian state.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the United Nations on Monday that the government-controlled body is committed to ending the PAMF in favor of a unified welfare system.
“We’re establishing a unified social welfare system after the abolition of all previous payments to the families of prisoners and martyrs. This system is currently undergoing international audit by a specialized international firm,” Abbas said.
He also pledged to hold elections under international observation within one year of the end of the war in Gaza and to draft an “interim constitution.” Those participating in the elections must adhere to the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s charter, which recognizes the state of Israel. The condition effectively bars Hamas from the elections despite its rise in popularity in the West Bank.
The outlet also reported that the United Kingdom is currently safe from Israeli retaliation, as Jerusalem is focused on punishing France, which has led the diplomatic effort to recognize a Palestinian state.
Starmer announced the recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday after Israel failed to meet set conditions to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution. That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state,” Starmer said. “At the moment, we have neither.”
UK RECOGNIZES PALESTINIAN STATE AFTER ISRAEL FAILS TO MEET GAZA WAR CONDITIONS
Starmer has been careful to couch his recognition with a vehement condemnation of Hamas.
“Let’s be frank: Hamas is a brutal, terrorist organization. Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision,” he said. “So we are clear: This solution is not a reward for Hamas because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.”