Foreign Affairs Committee, Parliament Copenhagen, Denmark
by Nan Jacques Zilberdik and Itamar Marcus Palestinian Media Watch
The Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership, the media and structures they control present terrorists as heroes. Summer camps and sporting events are named after them, turning them into role models. Leaders honoring terrorists include Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who honored 4 female terrorists including two who drove suicide bombers to their attacks, Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, PA ministers and officials. PA TV, which is under the control of the office of Abbas, regularly honors terrorists in its broadcasts. Yasser Abd Rabbo, the Inspector General of the PA’s official media, defined the Palestinian media, including Palestinian television as “a governmental institution.” He stated that the PA plans to create an independent media in the future so “that the TV will not be the mouthpiece of the government, with an attempt to dictate to society and to direct it as the government sees fit.” [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 15, 2010] This has not occurred yet, and today PA TV continues to be the mouthpiece of the government.
These actions show that the PA has not complied with the fundamental, preliminary requirement of the peace process, which is to stop promotion of violence.
The following are some examples of PA terrorist glorification by leaders and government-controlled media in 2011: 1. PA TV praises terrorist who planned Passover suicide bombing that killed 30 "Heroic fighter, the lion of the prison cells"
Following the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, official Palestinian Authority TV chose to dedicate a broadcast to one terrorist, Abbas Al-Sayid, who was not included in the deal. Abbas Al-Sayid is serving 35 life sentences and 150 years for planning a suicide bombing in Netanya in 2002 at a Passover Seder in which 30 Israelis were killed, and another bombing in 2001 in which 5 were killed and 100 wounded.
PA TV's visit to the home of Abbas Al-Sayid:
PA TV host: "We are outside the home of the patient, heroic fighter who is resolute, overcoming his chains, desiring freedom - Abbas Al-Sayid, the lion of the prison cells."
PA TV host interviews released prisoner in the house of Al-Sayid:
Host: "[What is] your feeling now in the home of Abbas Al-Sayid - the leader, hero, defeater of the enemies,
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defeater of the dungeons, and lion under interrogation?"
Released female terrorist, Du'a Al-Jayousi (sentenced to 3 life sentences for leading a suicide bomber to his attack in Netanya in 2002 in which 3 Israelis were killed): "He was an example and role model for us, we wanted very much to meet him."
Released male terrorist, Muayyad Al-Jallad: "I do not forget our neighbor and brother, Abbas Al-Sayid. He is the crown on our heads. Allah willing, we will soon rejoice for him over his release... He is honor to the nation... We are all familiar with his manly qualities of heroism and strength." [PA TV (Fatah), Oct. 25, 2011]
2. PAMinisterofPrisoners'Affairs,IssaKarake,praisesterroristmurderersas "Palestinian Authority symbols" and "heroes and fighters":
"There is... much questioning among the prisoners following the release, following the exchange deal, and especially the non-inclusion of Palestinian Authority symbols and prisoner symbols, such as Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Sa'adat, Abdallah Barghouti, Abbas Al-Sayid, and others... and Sami Younis and Karim Younis, and other heroes and fighters." [PA TV (Fatah), Oct. 17, 2011]
Marwan Barghouti - serving five life sentences for orchestrating suicide terror attacks against Israeli civilians.
Ahmad Sa'adat - serving life sentence for murder of Israeli Minister of Tourism, Rehavam Zeevi.
Abdallah Barghouti - sentenced to 67 life sentences for involvement in terror attacks in which 66 Israelis were murdered.
Abbas Al-Sayid - sentenced to 35 life sentences and 150 years for planning the suicide bombings at the Passover Seder in 2002 murdering 30 Israelis and wounding 140, and in Netanya killing 5 and wounding 100 in 2001.
Sami Younis - served 40 years for kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldier in 1980.
Karim Younis - serving a life sentence kidnapping and murder of an Israeli soldier in 1980.
3. Motherof4terroristmurdererschosenbythePAtolaunchstatehoodcampaign
The Palestinian Authority chose the mother of 4 terrorist murderers, one of whom killed seven Israeli civilians and attempted to kill twelve others, as the person to launch their statehood campaign with the UN. In a widely publicized event, the PA had Latifa Abu Hmeid lead the procession to the UN offices in Ramallah and she was the one who handed the letter for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. In total her sons are serving 18 life sentences for murder of Israelis. [PA TV, Sept. 8, 2011, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Sept. 9, 2011, Al-Ayyam, Sept. 9, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin Sept. 18, 2011]
Her four terrorist sons are:
Nasser Abu Hmeid - 7 life sentences + 50 years - commander in Fatah's military wing the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Ramallah. Convicted of killing seven Israeli civilians and 12 attempted murders.
Nasr Abu Hmeid - 5 life sentences - Member of terror faction of Fatah, Tanzim. Convicted of involvement in two terror attacks and arms dealing.
Sharif Abu Hmeid - 4 life sentences - a member in one of the brothers' units carrying out terror attacks against civilians and soldiers. Accompanied a suicide bomber to his attack in March 2002.
Phone: 972-2-625-4140 • pmw@palwatch.org • www.palwatch.org • Jerusalem, Israel
Muhammad Abu Hmeid - 2 life sentences + 30 years - involvement in terror attacks.
Abd Al-Mun'im Muhammad Yusuf Naji Abu Hmeid - member of the military wing of Hamas, Izz A-Din Al-Qassam Brigades. Planned and carried out the ambush and murder of an Israeli intelligence officer.
4. PA TV honors terrorists involved in suicide bombing that killed 15
PA TV program In a Fighter’s Home sent special greetings and praise to terrorist Ahlam Tamimi, who drove a suicide bomber to the Sbarro pizza shop in Jerusalem in August 2001. 15 people were murdered in the attack, 7 of them children. The program also visited the home of terrorist Muhammed Wael Daghlas, who planned the attack and sent the suicide bomber. [PA TV, Aug. 10, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, Sept. 4, 2011]
5. PA TV continues to glorify most lethal terror attack in Israeli history
In 1978, a group of terrorists led by Dalal Mughrabi sailed from Lebanon to Israel to carry out a terror attack. They hijacked a bus and killed 37 Israeli civilians, 12 of them children. On the anniversary of the Fatah movement, PA TV chose to glorify the terror attack with a music video celebrating Mughrabi and the attack she led. The video shows a reenactment of the terrorists coming from Lebanon to Israel in boats. PA TV rebroadcast the video, which describes the terrorists as having "no fear of death or the darkness of prison," and glorifies Mughrabi’s death: “On the coast [Dalal] Mughrabi's blood was shed, the color of [red] coral on [white] lemon flowers." [PA TV, Jan. 2, Aug. 24, and Sept. 4, 2011, reported in PMW bulletins, January 21 and Aug. 29, 2011]
6. PA TV honors terrorist involved in 3 attacks that killed 51
PA TV program For You honored terrorist prisoner Salim Hajja, by visiting his family. Hajja is serving 16 life sentences for involvement in three suicide bombings that killed a total of 51 people. Hajja’s mother-in-law expresses the hope that Hajja’s son Omar will be a “hero” like his father. The son, Omar, says, “Daddy is a hero. I am very proud of him.” [PA TV (Fatah), Aug. 11, 2011]
7. Abbas representative honors terrorist planner of attack that killed 11
Amin Al-Hindi was a senior planner of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes in the Munich Olympics in 1972. Abdallah Al-Ifranji, special representative of President Mahmoud Abbas, honored Al-Hindi by laying a wreath on his grave on the anniversary of his death. [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Aug. 18, 2011]
8. PA TV honors planner of suicide bombing that killed 14
Program For You honored prisoners Abd Al-Rahman and Abdallah Al-Wahsh, by visiting their homes in Jenin. Abdallah Al-Wahsh was active in Islamic Jihad, and sent a suicide bomber to an attack in 2002, killing 14. Abd Al-Rahman was a leader of the Jerusalem Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, and was involved in terror attacks. [PA TV (Fatah), Aug. 18, 2011]
9. PA TV honors terrorist prisoner with visit to her family
PA TV program In a Fighter's Home honored terrorist prisoner Rima Daragmeh by visiting her family together with the PA Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, Issa Karake. Daragmeh was involved in enlisting the woman who carried out a suicide bombing in Afula in 2003, and was arrested while intending to carry out a suicide bombing. [PA TV (Fatah), Aug. 16, 2011]
Phone: 972-2-625-4140 • pmw@palwatch.org • www.palwatch.org • Jerusalem, Israel
10.Presidential gift awarded to family of terrorist who planned suicide bombing
Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs, Issa Karake, and the District Governor of Hebron, Kamel Hamid, honored terrorist prisoner Al-Sharbati, presenting his family with a presidential gift from Mahmoud Abbas. Al-Sharbati was a senior member of Tanzim, a military wing of Fatah, and was involved in planning a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Aug. 8, 2011]
11.PA TV honors planner of suicide bombing with visit to his home
PA Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, Issa Karake, and District Governor of Hebron, Kamel Hamid again honored terrorist prisoner Yasser Al-Sharbati, with a visit to his family on the PA TV program In a Fighter's Home. As stated, Al-Sharbati was involved in planning a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. [PA TV (Fatah), Aug. 15, 2011]
12.PA TV honors female suicide bomber with visit to her mother
PA TV program The Best Mothers interviewed the mother of female suicide bomber Darin Abu Aisheh, who carried out a terror attack in 2002, wounding 3 Israelis. The program shows a poster of Abu Aisheh displayed in the mother’s home, describing her as “the heroic Martyrdom-seeker.” [PA TV, Aug. 3, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, Aug. 10, 2011]
13.PA TV honors terrorist “Martyr” with visit to his mother
PA TV program The Best Mothers interviewed the mother of a bomb maker from Fatah's military wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, named Yusuf Shaker Al-Asi. PA TV included in the edited feature a poem and a poster of the bomb maker with an inscription praising Martyrdom for Allah. [PA TV, Aug. 2, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, Aug. 18, 2011]
14.PA TV honors terrorist who killed 30 with visit to his home
PA TV program In a Fighter's Home visits the home of prisoner Anas Jaradat, who served as head of the Islamic Jihad in Jenin and was responsible for bringing 3 car bombs into Israel, killing nearly 30 Israelis. Secretary of the Fatah branch in Jenin, Ata Abu Ramila, referred to Jaradat on the program as “the heroic Jihad-figher prisoner” and expressed his pride in “all the heroic prisoners.” [PA TV (Fatah), Aug. 3, 2011]
15.PA TV glorifies terrorist who killed 3 with visit to his home
PA TV program In a Fighter's Home visits the home of prisoner Amer Abu Sarhan, convicted of stabbing 3 Israelis to death in 1990. The District Governor of Bethlehem refers to Sarhan as “the heroic prisoner” and says, “We honor him greatly... To all his fellow prisoners – the brave and heroic who are resolute in Ribat (i.e., religious conflict/war), to the glorious female prisoners in the occupation's prisons – we salute you [and express our] utmost appreciation and pride." [PA TV (Fatah), Aug. 2, 2011]
16.PA TV rebroadcasts video presenting female terrorist as role model
PA TV repeatedly broadcast a video honoring terrorist Dalal Mughrabi, referring to her as a symbol of “Martyrdom” and “victory over enmity.” Dalal Mughrabi led a bus hijacking in 1978, killing 37 Israeli civilians, 12 of them children. [PA TV (Fatah), May - July, 2011, twice weekly, Nov. - Dec., 2010 weekly, reported in PMW bulletin, Aug. 29, 2011]
Phone: 972-2-625-4140 • pmw@palwatch.org • www.palwatch.org • Jerusalem, Israel
17.A Palestinian Authority summer camp for children sponsored by PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad divided its campers into three groups named after the terrorists Dalal Mughrabi, Salah Khalaf and Abu Ali Mustafa. [Al-Ayyam, July 20, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, July 21, 2011]
Dalal Mughrabi in 1978 led the most lethal terror attack in Israel's history, in which 37 civilians were killed, including one American and 12 children.
Salah Khalaf (Abu Iyad), head of Black September terror group, planned the murder of two American diplomats, and the Munich Olympics attack in 1972, and other terror attacks.
Abu Ali Mustafa, General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, planned many terror attacks against civilians.
18.PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad honored terrorist bombers
"Prime Minister Salam Fayyad opened his weekly radio address... by sending greetings to the Palestinian mother in honor of Mothers' Day... He said, 'On this occasion, I will not fail to mention with honor and admiration the resolve of the female prisoners, the fighters, and of all the prisoners of freedom who are imprisoned in the Israeli prisons, experiencing indescribable suffering... I make special mention of all the female prisoners who are mothers: Iman Ghazawi;... Qahira Al-Sa'adi; Irena Sarahneh; Latifa Abu Zara'a...’” [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 24, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, March 27, 2011]
Qahira Al-Sa'adi and Irena Sarahneh, drove suicide bombers to their attacks killing 5. Iman Ghazawi, placed a bomb in a bus station in Tel Aviv.
Latifa Abu Zara'a, smuggled a bomb into Israel for a suicide terror attack that was uncovered before it was implemented.
19. Abbas granted $2,000 to family of terrorist
In January 2011, a Palestinian terrorist carrying two pipe bombs ran towards Israeli soldiers screaming "Allahu Akbar" ("Allah is Greatest"). He was shot and killed. PA Chairman Abbas granted "the relatives of the Martyr" - $2,000. [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 25, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, Jan. 27, 2011]
20.PA Minister of Prisoners' Affairs honored terrorist responsible for murder of 30
PA Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake visited the family of the terrorist Abbas Al-Sayid who planned the Passover suicide bombing in 2002. 30 Israelis were killed in the terror attack during the Passover Seder dinner. The PA minister handed the family an honorary plaque. [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 29, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, March 31, 2011]
21.PA erected tree with pictures of 73 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences PA Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Issa Karake participated in a ceremony honoring all 73 Palestinians from Bethlehem serving life sentences in prison. The PA unveiled a "Tree of Freedom for Prisoners” decorated with 73 "photographs of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 20, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, May 19, 2011]
22.PA officials visited homes of terrorists serving life sentences
"District Governor of Bethlehem, Abd Al-Fatah Hamael [and other PA officials]... visited the homes of prisoners... Mahmoud Abu Sorour, Nasser Abu Sorour, Riyad Al-Amour, Adnan
Phone: 972-2-625-4140 • pmw@palwatch.org • www.palwatch.org • Jerusalem, Israel
Al-Afandi, and Rizq Salah... The district governor gave [the families] gift packages of sweets with pictures of the prisoners printed on them." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 18, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, May 19, 2011]
Riyad Al-Amour - Serving 11 life sentences for murder of 9 Israelis and 3 Palestinians he suspected of helping Israel.
Adnan Al-Afandi - Attempted to kill two children by stabbing them, 1992
Nasser and Mahmoud Abu Sorour - Participated in murder of Israeli Intelligence agent. Rizq Salah - Killed an Israeli soldier with a bomb in Bethlehem, 1993.
23.The official PA daily: 4 terrorists involved in murdering 117 Israelis are “heroic”
The official PA daily reported on the visit of the Palestinian Prisoners' Center for Studies to the homes of terrorists serving life sentences for murder. The PA daily referred to the terrorists as follows: “The heroic prisoners Abbas and Abdallah Barghouti, Mahmoud Issa, Jamal Abu Al-Haija, Hassan Salameh..." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 13, 2011]
Abdallah Barghouti - sentenced to 67 life sentences for involvement in suicide bombing attacks in which 66 Israelis were murdered: Sbarro restaurant (Aug. 9, 2001), Moment Cafe (March 9, 2002), and triple suicide bombing at Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall (Dec. 1, 2001). Hassan Salameh - 38 life sentences. Was head of the terror infrastructure which carried out 2 suicide bombing attacks on buses in Jerusalem (Feb. 25, 1996, March 3, 1996), and the suicide bombing at the Ashkelon Junction (Feb. 25, 1996).
Jamal Abu Al-Haija - 9 life sentences for involvement in suicide bombing attacks in Hadera shopping mall (Oct. 26, 2005) and at Herzl Street in Netanya (Dec. 5, 2005)
Mahmoud Issa - serving 3 life sentences. Member of the squad that kidnapped and murdered Israeli soldiers, including Nissim Toledano (Dec. 13, 1992).
24.Official PA TV honored the woman who drove a suicide terrorist to his bombing that murdered 15 in pizza shop attack
PA TV broadcast a program honoring Ahlam Tamimi, the woman who drove the suicide terrorist to the Sbarro pizza restaurant in Jerusalem in August 2001. 15 people were murdered in the attack, 7 of them children. Visiting Tamimi's home, the PA TV crew interviewed her relatives, and the camera focused on an award which read:
"A gift of the Fatah Palestinian National Liberation Movement Ramallah - El-Bireh branch
To the heroic prisoner Ahlam Tamimi
As a token of esteem for your sacrifices
And your acts of heroism."
[PA TV, March 10, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, March 17, 2011]
25.Official PA TV honored driver of suicide terrorist who murdered 19 on bus
PA TV honored terrorist, Fahami Mashahra, who drove a suicide bomber to Jerusalem in 2001 in which 19 were murdered. The PA TV host said to his daughter:
"Greetings of honor and admiration to your heroic father in prison, Fahami Mashahra, serving 20 life sentences in the occupation's prison. Thank you very much." [PA TV, March 4, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, May 17, 2011]
Phone: 972-2-625-4140 • pmw@palwatch.org • www.palwatch.org • Jerusalem, Israel
26.Advisor of Mahmoud Abbas: “The weapons must be turned towards the main enemy [Israel]" and terrorist Dalal Mughrabi must be honored by naming a square after her: "Advisor of President Mahmoud Abbas Sabri Saidam, delivered a speech... He emphasized that the weapons must be turned towards the main enemy [Israel] and that internal differences of opinion must be set aside... and emphasized that the anniversary of Dalal's Martyrdom-seeking (i.e., her terror attack in which 37 civilians were murdered) should be amplified by inaugurating a square in her name in the city of El-Bireh."
[Al-Ayyam, March 10, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, March 13, 2011]
27. Fatah movement lauded suicide bombers
"The Fatah movement commemorated at the Deheisheh [refugee] camp the anniversary of some of the camp’s Shahids (Martyrs)... The movement organized a procession... [to] the home of the Shahid Muhammad Daraghmeh, who carried out a bombing operation (i.e., suicide bombing which killed 9) in Jerusalem... [and mentioned] Ayyat Al-Akhras (at age 17, the youngest female suicide bomber, killed two Israelis in her suicide attack in March, 2002.)" [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 4, 2011]
28.PA TV repeatedly glorified terrorist who killed 3 teens, and another who planned a suicide bombing
A PA TV video tribute to "Martyrs" that was broadcast on PA TV several times a day for four days honored a terrorist who killed three Israelis and one who recruited female suicide terrorists and planned a double suicide attack in Tel Aviv. A photo collage in the same video tribute was labeled "Heroes of the special operations in northern Palestine" which referred to terror attacks in northern Israel. [PA TV, several times daily Feb. 21-24, 2011, reported in PMW bulletin, March 13, 2011]
PA Pays Monthly Salaries to Terrorists in Israeli prisons
New PA laws enacts payment of monthly salaries to terrorists in Israeli prisons:
A law signed and published in the official Palestinian Authority Registry in April 2011 puts all Palestinians and Israeli Arabs imprisoned in Israel for terror crimes on the PA payroll to receive a monthly salary from the PA. [Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 15, 2011] This new law called PA Government Resolution of 2010, numbers 21 and 23, formalizes what has long been a PA practice.
Recipients of the monthly salary:
The PA has defined by law which Palestinians would be considered "prisoners": "Anyone imprisoned in the occupation's [Israel's] prisons as a result of his participation in the struggle against the occupation." [Ch. 1 of Law of Prisoners,
2004/19,passed and published by the PA Chairman and Government, December 2004.
The Prisoners' Centre for Studies, www.alasra.ps, Accessed May 9, 2011]
According to the PA definition, more than 5,500 Palestinian prisoners serving time for terror- related offenses are recipients. [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 14, 2011] Palestinian car thieves in Israeli prisons will not receive a salary, but every terrorist in prison including murderers are
Phone: 972-2-625-4140 • pmw@palwatch.org • www.palwatch.org • Jerusalem, Israel
on the PA payroll. The salary goes directly to the terrorist or the terrorist's family, and prisoners receive salary from the day of arrest. [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 15, 2011]
Hamas and Fatah terrorist prisoners receive monthly salaries:
“The PA's Ministry for Prisoner Affairs said that its policy had always been to pay salaries to prisoners and their families ‘regardless of their political affiliations.’” [Jerusalem Post, May 20, 2011].
Total amount that the PA pays in salaries to prisoners monthly: Total: 17,678,247 Shekel (3,776,159 Euro) a month, based on May 2011.
[Life and the Market, supplement to Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 19, 2011] Terrorists in prison receive higher average salary than PA civil servants and military
personnel
[Life and the Market supplement to Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 19, 2011]
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