Fatah Palestinian Authority Prime Minister and Finance Minister Salam Fayyad has decided to include the salaries of the former Hamas ministers and legislators in the monthly payment to government workers, according to a Ynet report.
Fayyad used funds from restored aid to the PA by the United States, European Union as well as from the formerly frozen tax funds released by Israel to pay the salaries. Each Hamas ex-lawmaker received NIS 12,000 (approximately $2,836) from the PA treasury on Monday.
Not everyone in the PA was pleased with the decision however; according to the report, young Fatah members accused PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of using a double standard when dealing with Hamas. “He declared war on them, but pays their wages and helps them stabilize their government in Gaza,” said a source.