The Economic Empowerment Foundation Confirms Its Full and Steadfast Commitment to Implementing the Decree-Law on the Unified Social Protection and Welfare System

SadaNews - The Palestinian National Economic Empowerment Foundation confirmed today, Thursday, its complete and unwavering commitment to implement Decree-Law No. (4) of 2025 regarding the establishment of a unified social protection and welfare system, and the annulment of previous legislation related to prisoners’ allowances, in letter and spirit, without any exceptions or circumventions, within a clear and transparent legal and administrative framework, subject to regular monitoring and auditing procedures according to approved standards.

In a statement, it responded to the inciting and misleading remarks made by the Israeli occupation government's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, which included baseless allegations and deliberate skepticism regarding the commitment of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian National Economic Empowerment Foundation to implement Decree-Law No. (4) of 2025.

The Foundation emphasized that it does not and will not disburse any financial allowances to the families of prisoners, martyrs, or the injured based on any previous legislation or systems. All social allocations are disbursed exclusively according to the unified social research system, based on internationally recognized criteria, and relying solely on the criterion of social need, without any consideration of political or security status.

It added that the results of the comprehensive social research indicated that a large number of families that previously benefited from allowances do not meet the eligibility criteria stipulated in Decree-Law No. (4) of 2025, and consequently, these families will not receive any social allowances from the foundation, as part of the complete transition to a professional, just, and transparent social care and protection system based on principles of social justice.

The Foundation confirmed that the payment system linked to the number of years of imprisonment has been completely and conclusively abolished and is no longer in effect in any form, and the claims regarding its continuation fall within the realm of deliberate misinformation and distortion of facts.

The Palestinian National Economic Empowerment Foundation announced its full readiness to engage in any independent international auditing processes, confirming in this context that it has actually contracted with specialized international auditing firms, aiming to document its strict commitment to implement Decree-Law No. (4) of 2025, enhance the principles of transparency and accountability, and refute misleading Israeli claims before the international community, thereby supporting international efforts favoring the path of Palestinian reforms.

It also confirmed that the ongoing reforms in the social protection system come within the framework of the obligations of the State of Palestine towards the international community, in coordination with international partners and donor entities, ensuring the alignment of social policies with the best global practices in the fields of good governance, equitable targeting, and protection for the most in-need groups, stressing that these reforms represent a sovereign national choice based on the law, and are not subject to any political pressures or extortion attempts.

It stated that the Israeli government's attempts to mislead international public opinion and question the ongoing Palestinian reforms will not change the established fact that the State of Palestine is proceeding with the implementation of a comprehensive, transparent reform program that complies with international standards, despite the continuing occupation and its policies and violations.

The Palestinian National Economic Empowerment Foundation reaffirmed that Decree-Law No. (4) of 2025 represents a radical and final transformation in the Palestinian social protection and welfare system, and any claims to the contrary lack credibility and do not rely on objective facts, reflecting desperate attempts to undermine a national reform path that enjoys increasing international support.