Palestinian Presidentโค Abbas Responds to Israeli Media in Rare Interview, Details Ongoing Reforms
RAMALLAH – โPalestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in a rare interview with Israel’s Channel โฃ12, addressed questions regarding reformsโ within the PA โadn its commitment to addressing international concerns, โincluding โthose raised by the United States. โคAbbas answered โคquestions posed in Hebrewโ entirely โขin Arabic. Theโค interviewโ comes amid ongoing diplomatic โefforts to โฃde-escalate tensions in the region and restart peace negotiations.
The interview provides โฃa glimpse into โthe Palestinian โคAuthority’s viewpoint on critical issues, particularly its response to pressure from the US and Israel regarding financial payments to Palestinian prisoners and the families of those killed or imprisoned by Israel. Thes payments have been a longstanding point of contention,with critics labeling them “pay to kill” and โขalleging they incentivize violence. The โฃinterview signals a willingness by Abbas to engage with Israeli media directly, despite strained relations, and to articulate the PA’s position on key policy areas.
Abbas stated that reform processes were already underway, referencing a 20-point plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the conflictโฃ in gaza. He specifically addressed the contentious issue of prisoner salaries,stating,”I โwant to say honestly — we have launched reformsโฆThis reform includes prisoner salaries that we have agreed with โขthe US and that the US has agreed to.”
The President announced reforms to the payment scheme in February, responding to pressure from both the US and Israel, who have characterized the payments as “financing for terrorism.” While Abbas confirmed these changes, โseveral Palestinian officials voiced criticism of the decision โat the time. Heโ further indicated that reforms are being implemented across multiple sectors, including education, โขeconomy, health, and security, โwith the goal of establishing a “model” Palestinian Authority capableโข of leading the Palestinian people.
Abbas noted that some reforms have been completed, while others remain ongoing.โ he also acknowledged โฃprior calls for reform from Trump and other โinternational leaders โand organizations.
(whn/maa)