Controversial Billboard in Times Square Highlights PA’s Funding Practices
A billboard in Times Square has drawn criticism towards the Palestinian Authority (PA) for its controversial financial incentive system, often referred to as “pay to kill.” Critics contend that this program offers monetary rewards to militants involved in the murder of Israeli civilians.
The billboard displays a stark message: “The Palestinian Authority is still paying for the murder of Jews…The payment for the murder is over,” alongside an unflattering image of PA President Mahmoud Abbas. It’s quite striking, honestly—definitely hard to ignore.
This initiative reportedly came together with support from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as noted by the Jerusalem Post.
The “Pay for Slay” concept ties back to the PA’s “Martyrs Fund,” which gives benefits to those imprisoned for attacks on Israelis, as well as to the families of deceased attackers of Israeli forces.
Many critics argue that rewards are higher for more serious acts of violence or longer sentences, fostering a troubling cycle.
While opposition claims the fund encourages further acts of terror, the Palestinian government maintains that these payments are essential support for potential prisoners.
Since its inception in 2004, the PA has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for this cause. Reports indicate that this fund costs about $300 million annually, consuming around 8% of the PA’s total budget.
In February 2025, Prime Minister Abbas officially claimed to end the “Wages to Kill” program, yet some reports suggest the PA may still be channeling money to terrorists through hidden means.
According to communication from the U.S. State Department to Congress, the PA will continue to disburse more than $200 million to terrorists and their families throughout 2025.
This billboard installation followed Abbas’s announcement of a draft resolution for a Palestinian state constitution, which some say disregards Jewish connections to Jerusalem.
Historically, Jerusalem has held immense religious significance in Judaism, dating back to the era of King David, and contains numerous ancient Jewish sacred sites like the Western Wall. Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, the city has been viewed as its capital. Additionally, it was reunified under Israeli control after the Six-Day War in 1967.
The city remains a contentious issue in Middle Eastern politics, being the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the third holiest site in Islam. The proposed constitutional draft names Jerusalem as the “capital of the Palestinian state” and aims to safeguard its “Islamic and Christian sanctuaries,” but notably avoids any mention of Jewish ties, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
Furthermore, the proposed legislation designates Islamic sharia as the “primary source for legislation.” This kind of framing has complex implications and certainly raises eyebrows.
