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| Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong Photo #Grok 3 |
CANBERRA — Australia has confirmed it will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, a move that has reignited scrutiny of the Palestinian Authority‘s (PA) history of payments to the families of individuals killed or imprisoned in connection with attacks against Israelis.1 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the decision, emphasizing it’s part of a global effort to push for a two-state solution and to isolate the militant group Hamas.2
The payments are not a small part of the PA’s budget.10 In recent years, they have amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, representing a significant portion of the PA’s yearly budget and a substantial percentage of its foreign aid.11 The structure of the payments has also drawn criticism, with higher stipends often given to those serving longer sentences for more severe attacks.12 This has led to accusations that the PA is rewarding violence.
International Pressure and Recent Changes
The PA’s payment system has long been a source of tension with international partners, including the United States and Israel.13 In response to this pressure, the PA has made some recent changes. Earlier this year, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree to end the system of payments to the families of “prisoners, martyrs, and the wounded,” and transfer the welfare programs to an independent foundation.14 The decree also stated that families would remain eligible for financial benefits based on general social welfare criteria, not on the nature of their detention or death.15
Infrastructure and Access:
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Destruction: Over 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, schools, and essential services, has been destroyed.14 The damage to physical structures is estimated in the billions of dollars.15
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Aid Access: The delivery of humanitarian aid remains severely restricted.16 While there have been announcements of “humanitarian pauses,” UN officials and aid workers state that these measures are insufficient and that aid is only a “trickle” compared to the immense need.17 The militarization of aid distribution points has also resulted in a high number of casualties among people trying to access food supplies.18