J Street Welcomes Changes to Palestinian Prisoner Payment Program; Urges US Action

WASHINGTON, DC -- J Street welcomes the reforms announced by the Palestinian Authority (PA) to end its prisoner payment program, a specific reform that J Street has long been advocating for.

The announcement asserts that, under these reforms, all Palestinians in need will be treated equally under the same criteria, with no preference given to families of Palestinian prisoners and those killed in attacks against Israelis.

If fully implemented, this action would represent a meaningful step toward meeting the requirements of the Taylor Force Act, which sets forth the criteria for resuming direct US assistance to the PA.

We urge the Trump Administration and Congress to consult closely with the PA, verify the changes that are being made, and work together to ensure the PA takes the necessary actions to meet all outstanding requirements of the Taylor Force Act so that the Secretary of State can certify to Congress that these actions are complete.

Once certified, the Administration should move swiftly to restore assistance to the PA, alongside a range of assistance benefitting the Palestinian people. This should be in addition to a steady surge in humanitarian and reconstruction aid that we have urged immediately start flowing in the wake of the devastation of the war in Gaza.

It is vital that the Administration take action to bolster the PA – which recognizes Israel’s right to exist and which coordinates with Israel on security and other critical matters – especially as Hamas sympathies grow in the West Bank.