Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is reportedly seeking reparations from the United Kingdom, potentially amounting to trillions of dollars.
This demand follows the formal recognition of a Palestinian state by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Abbas, who has previously threatened legal action against Britain, is calling for "reparations in accordance with international law" for land that was under British control from 1917 to 1948.
The Daily Mail highlights that these payments would serve as "compensation for land 'taken from the Palestinian people'" when Britain withdrew from the region post-World War II.
As reported by The Washington Free Beacon, the Palestinian Authority, under Abbas's leadership, has been known for its controversial "pay for slay" program, which allocates funds to the families of terrorists who have been killed or imprisoned.
Despite Abbas's February claim to end this program, he later assured his party that "even if we have [only] one penny left, it is for the prisoners and Martyrs," as noted by the Council on Foreign Relations. There is no indication that these payments have ceased following Abbas's declaration.
The Daily Mail also mentions that some international law experts suggest that reparations could start at two trillion British pounds, a figure comparable to the entire British economy. This development comes as the United Kingdom, along with Canada and Australia, recognized Palestinian statehood in anticipation of the U.N.
General Assembly in Manhattan, with France expected to follow suit. Starmer had previously warned that the U.K. would proceed with recognition unless Israel made "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza" and committed to a two-state solution.
A senior Hamas official recently praised the recognition efforts by Britain, Canada, and France, attributing them to the aftermath of the October 7 terrorist attack. This attack, orchestrated by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 individuals, including Americans. The official described these diplomatic moves as "the fruits of October 7."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized the countries' recognition of a Palestinian state, especially in light of the recent violence. In a televised address, Netanyahu stated, "I have a clear message to those leaders who are recognizing a Palestinian state after the horrendous October 7 massacre: You are rewarding terror with an enormous prize." He firmly declared that "there will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River."
The Trump administration has reiterated its stance against Palestinian statehood. An official informed the New York Post that recognizing a Palestinian state would equate to "rewarding Hamas" and could impede efforts to secure the release of hostages. The official emphasized that President Trump "doesn't think [Hamas] should be rewarded," and thus, he will not support such recognition.
This unfolding situation raises questions about the implications of recognizing Palestinian statehood and the potential impact on regional stability and international relations. The demand for reparations and the broader geopolitical dynamics underscore the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with significant ramifications for global diplomacy.
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