[{"tags":[],"author":[{"citeName":{"he":"","en":"Jacques-Zilberdik, N., & Hirsch, M."},"about":"","id":431,"name":{"he":"","en":"nan jacques zilberdik, and maurice hirsch, adv."}}],"description":"The PA sees all the terrorists, irrespective of their terror group affiliation, as having “carried out the duty of resistance” as “ordered” by the PA","date":{"type":"firestore/timestamp/1.0","seconds":1641133260,"nanoseconds":0},"content":"

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The PA sees all the terrorists, irrespective of their terror group affiliation, as having “carried out the duty of resistance” as “ordered” by the PA
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Irrespective of their terror group affiliation, the terrorists, also see themselves as “soldiers” of the PA
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While the PA on the one hand is eager to disclaim responsibility for any and all terror attacks, claiming that terrorists act alone and without orders from the PA, on the other it is claiming that all imprisoned terrorists are Prisoners of War – i.e., legitimate soldiers of the PA. Moreover, it is clear that the terrorists themselves see their role as that of “soldiers” serving the PA.

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This was stressed by recently released terrorist and member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) – an internationally designated terror organization - Hussein Suleiman Al-Zre’i in a televised phone conversation with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Three times Al-Zre’i stressed to Abbas that the imprisoned terrorists see themselves as “your loyal soldiers.” Al-Zre’i, who served 19 years in prison for carrying out shooting and mortar attacks against Israeli towns in Gush Katif, inside the Gaza Strip, further emphasized that as Abbas’ and Fatah’s “soldiers” they “will continue on this path. This is what Fatah has accustomed us to” – meaning the path of terror. Abbas blessed terrorist Al-Zre’i, stressing that what he did, i.e., indiscriminate shooting and mortar attacks that targeted Israeli civilians, was “not a tiny part,” but “a great and important part”:

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PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas: “I appreciate the nation for recognizing the great efforts of you [prisoners]. We, for our part, my brother Hussein, whatever you want… we are prepared to fulfill our duty…”
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Released prisoner Hussein Suleiman Al-Zre’i: “May Allah bless you, Your Honor the President. You are the symbol of the existing leadership, and we’ll remain your loyal soldiers. We are aware of the positions you have held on the prisoners’ cause, and on the cause of the salaries of the Martyrs and prisoners… Allah willing, our aspirations of establishing the Palestinian state whose capital is Jerusalem will be realized under your leadership, and we will remain soldiers loyal to you, your leadership, and all the members of the [Fatah] Central Committee. Our struggle is part of the Palestinian people’s struggle and part of the struggle of our [prisoners’] movement, which is fighting and attempting to reach a state through its struggle, and we will continue on this path. This is what Fatah has accustomed us to… [My] struggle, 19 years [in prison], is a tiny part of the deep and great struggle that you have led…”
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Mahmoud Abbas: “May Allah bless you. It is not a tiny part, it is a great and important part, and it is a brick in building the great palace that will come about without a doubt: the independent Palestinian state. There is no doubt we’ll get rid of them and their occupation, and no doubt our flag [will fly above] Jerusalem…”
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Hussein Suleiman Al-Zre’i: “We will triumph and Fatah will triumph… We support you and will remain your loyal soldiers until the end. The prison gave us greater will and endurance towards establishing our goals. Allah willing we’ll get greater will and [become more] daring to continue the struggle towards achieving the main goal, which is establishing the state whose capital is noble Jerusalem.”
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[Facebook page of the Fatah Movement – Northern Gaza Strip Branch, Dec. 20, 2021]
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While PIJ is very distinct from and - within Palestinian politics - even hostile towards Fatah, PIJ and Hamas terrorists see themselves, in the context of the conflict with Israel, as “soldiers” of the PA, as is illustrated by Al-Zre’i’s comments to Abbas.

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This perception rests on at least two principles. First and foremost, as extensively documented by Palestinian Media Watch, the PA pays monthly salaries to all the Palestinian terrorist prisoners, including those who belong to Hamas, PIJ, and other internationally designated Palestinian terror organizations. Secondly, the 2004 PA Law of Prisoners and Released Prisoners demands the release of all the terrorist prisoners as a pre-condition to any Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. Explaining the rational for demanding the release of all the terrorists, Abbas has clarified that the PA demands their release since it was the PA who sent the terrorists and “ordered” them to commit their acts of terrorism:

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Abbas: "I demand [the release of] prisoners because they are human beings, who did what we, we, ordered them to do. We - the [Palestinian] Authority… This is war. One (i.e., Israel) ordered a soldier to kill, I ordered my son, brother, or others, to carry out the duty of resistance (i.e., euphemism for terror). This person killed and the other person killed. So why say this person's hands are stained with blood, and [he] must be kept in prison? He is a fighter just like any other fighter."
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[Official PA TV, Feb 14, 2005]
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Palestinian Media Watch has exposed that the PA’s goal is to deceive the world into believing that international law recognizes the Palestinian terrorists as legitimate soldiers in combat - POWs. Yet, at the same time, former PA Minister of Prisoners and Released Prisoners' Affairs Ashraf Al-Ajrami has admitted that of the thousands of terrorist prisoners, “perhaps fewer” than 5 of them fit the legal definition of being a POW.

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Hussein Suleiman Al-Zre'i

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Spokesman of PA Security Forces demonizes Israel, claims Israel deliberately spreads weapons among Palestinians to fuel internal disputes and “get rid of confrontations that are part of the popular uprising against this occupation”
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The Palestinian Authority customarily blames Israel for its own shortcomings. While there are almost 70,000 personnel in the PA Security Forces, it would seem that they don't spend time gathering the numerous illegal weapons, including machine guns, held by Palestinians. When these weapons are used for terror, the PA is silent. But when they are used for internal Palestinian conflicts, the PA reverts to its constant fallback position: Blame Israel!
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\nEncouraged by a PA TV interviewer, PA Security Forces Spokesman and General Commissioner of the PLO Political and National Guidance Authority Talal Dweikat recently blamed Israel for internal Palestinian violence, claiming Israel deliberately spreads weapons within Palestinian society to undermine the PA Security Forces and create internal strife in order to prevent Palestinians from carrying out terror – “popular uprising”:

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Official PA TV host: “Don’t you also think like me that Israel and the Israeli occupation forces are interested – through the black market and weapons sales – in spreading these weapons in some of the places? Is there such an understanding?”
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PA Security Forces Spokesman and General Commissioner of the PLO Political and National Guidance Authority Talal Dweikat: “Certainly, and especially in areas that have all kinds of social problems, we see these weapons being spread in a noticeable manner. The occupation is providing this in order to Judaize all of our resources, to thwart the [PA] security establishment, and this occupation also certainly views the internal conflicts in the Palestinian society as a means of getting rid of confrontations that are part of the popular uprising (i.e., term used by Palestinians, which also refers to the use of violence and terror) against this occupation”
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[Official PA TV, Topic of the Day, Aug. 23, 2021]
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Commenting on the rise in violence and murder in Israeli Arab society, a PA TV newsreader made the same accusation, claiming that the Israeli government is “deliberately spreading weapons in the Arab society.” Responding to this, PA TV’s so-called “expert” on Israeli affairs, Fayez Abbas, accused Israeli soldiers of selling weapons to Israeli Arabs, knowing they will be used to settle internal disputes:

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Official PA TV newsreader: “Most of the weapons that are being used [by Israeli Arabs], according to the figures of the [Israeli Parliament Research and Information Center] report, originate in the Israeli army. This clearly indicates that the Israeli government is deliberately spreading weapons in the Arab society.”
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PA TV “Israeli affairs expert” Fayez Abbas: “More than 95% of the weapons are from the Israeli army. In other words, the Israeli soldiers are the ones dealing in these weapons, and they also know very well that these weapons will not be used against them in the Palestinian Interior (i.e., Palestinian term for Israel), but rather they will be used against the Arabs themselves.”
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[Official PA TV News, Aug. 18, 2021]
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Earlier, PA TV also accused Israeli police of ignoring the violence in the Arab society within Israel, claiming the police are “deliberately causing a continuation of the spread of crime”:

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Official PA TV newsreader: “The plague of violence in the Arab society within the Green Line continues (i.e., Palestinian term for Israel; the Green Line is the ceasefire line between Israel and the neighboring Arab countries, 1949-1967). The number of victims has reached 64 in the shadow of the systematic policy that is being implemented by the Israeli police, which is deliberately causing a continuation of the spread of crime.”
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[Official PA TV News, Aug. 6, 2021]
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Palestinian Media Watch has reported on similar statements by PA officials and media, among them PA Police Spokesman Col. Luay Erziqat who argued that Israel has “begun to spread crime… and encourage violence and murder in the Palestinian society… The Israeli occupation… is transferring supplies to the weapon dealers.” [Official PA TV, Directly With the Police, June 1, 2020]

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The following are longer excerpts of the statements cited above:

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Official PA TV host: “Don’t you also think like me that Israel and the Israeli occupation forces are interested – through the black market and weapons sales – in spreading these weapons in some of the places? Is there such an understanding?”
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PA Security Forces Spokesman and General Commissioner of the PLO Political and National Guidance Authority Talal Dweikat: “Certainly, and especially in areas that have all kinds of social problems, we see these weapons being spread in a noticeable manner. The occupation is providing this in order to Judaize all of our resources, to thwart the [PA] security establishment, and this occupation also certainly views the internal conflicts in the Palestinian society as a means of getting rid of confrontations that are part of the popular uprising (i.e., term used by Palestinians, which also refers to the use of violence and terror) against this occupation. The occupation is unable to suppress our struggle and war through the acts of assassination and arrest, but through these means it is attempting as best as it can to achieve what it is planning, in order to prevent our people from fulfilling its role in the struggle and war against the occupation.”
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[Official PA TV, Topic of the Day, Aug. 23, 2021]
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Peaceful\\popular uprising/resistance

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Official PA TV newsreader: “Most of the weapons that are being used [by Israeli Arabs], according to the figures of the [Israeli Parliament Research and Information Center] report, originate in the Israeli army. This clearly indicates that the Israeli government is deliberately spreading weapons in the Arab society.”
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PA TV “Israeli affairs expert” Fayez Abbas: “More than 95% of the weapons are from the Israeli army. In other words, the Israeli soldiers are the ones dealing in these weapons, and they also know very well that these weapons will not be used against them in the Palestinian Interior (i.e., Palestinian term for Israel), but rather they will be used against the Arabs themselves.”
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…
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Coordinator of the Anti-Violence and Crime Committee of the National Committee of the Heads of Arab Local Authorities in Israel Mahmoud Nassar: “It may be that [the Israeli Arab violence] will cause some of the young Arab people to think about leaving their villages and cities and emigrating in order to obtain personal security, social security, and a life of wellbeing and peace. Unfortunately, that is what is not being provided in recent years in our Arab cities. I think that this is a kind of deliberate policy that the State of Israel has been implementing for years.”
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[Official PA TV News, Aug. 18, 2021]
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Official PA TV newsreader: “The plague of violence in the Arab society within the Green Line continues (i.e., Palestinian term for Israel; the Green Line is the ceasefire line between Israel and the neighboring Arab countries, 1949-1967). The number of victims has reached 64 in the shadow of the systematic policy that is being implemented by the Israeli police, which is deliberately causing a continuation of the spread of crime.”
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[Official PA TV News, Aug. 6, 2021]
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Green Line

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Palestinian scouts in Lebanon indoctrinated to seek destruction of Israel and be “a second army to liberate Palestine” “from the River to the Sea”
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Scouts’ oath: “We will sacrifice our blood to reclaim you [Palestine]”
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Palestinian Red Crescent representative expressed organization’s support for recent war against Israel - “revolution and intifada”
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Hezbollah official spoke at scouts’ event and huge poster of Imad Mughniyeh – a senior Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist - adorned the ceremony
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While pledging allegiance to “Palestine” at an event organized in Lebanon by the Palestinian Scout Association (PSA) and the Fatah Movement Scout Office, adult and child scouts appeared to make the Nazi salute.

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The scout sign – or the three-finger-salute – is usually made with the three middle fingers touching the brow while the thumb and the little finger are folded and the palm faces out. However, the Palestinian scouts at the ceremony in Lebanon stretched their arms diagonally into the sky, thus making the scout sign look like the salute used by the Nazis:

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[Scout Wiki, accessed June 14, 2021]

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[YouTube Channel of Fatah TV (Lebanon), June 7, 2021]

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Official PA TV chose to include the vow to “Palestine” and the Nazi-like salute as part of a 3-minute news item about the scouts’ event, which took place in the Maroun Al-Ras area on the border between Lebanon and Israel:

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Official PA TV newsreader: “To Lebanon, where the Palestinian Scout Association (PSA) and the Fatah Movement Scout Office organized an activity for young people in the Maroun Al-Ras area on the border [with Israel]. The participants pledged allegiance to Palestine…”
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Palestinian scouts: “Our Palestine,
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We testify before Allah and history,
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And we swear to you
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that we will sacrifice our blood to reclaim you.”
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[Official PA TV News, June 7, 2021]
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The Nazi-like salute was made by everyone present, both the Lebanese Palestinian scouts and their supervisors. The scouts’ vow to “sacrifice our blood to reclaim you [Palestine],” shows the violent politicization of the Lebanese/Palestinian branch of the international scouts youth movement.

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A longer broadcast from the ceremony by Fatah’s Lebanese TV channel shows with even greater clarity that the Lebanese Palestinian scouts have become a political organization, misusing its scouts’ platform to indoctrinate the Lebanese Palestinian youth to seek the destruction of Israel and the “liberation of Palestine.”

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Among the speakers was Secretary of the Fatah Scouts Office in Lebanon Khaled Awad, who stressed that there will be no “normalization” with Israel, but rather Israel will cease to exist. He taught the assembled scouts that “the liberation of Palestine… from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea” is “a national and religious duty”:

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Secretary of the Fatah Scouts Office in Lebanon Khaled Awad: “As for [Israeli PM] Netanyahu, or the great stinker [former US President] Trump who was uprooted and left never to return, [PA] President Abbas told them: ‘Curse the fathers of the deal of the century’ (i.e., Trump’s Middle East peace plan). May Allah’s curse be upon them to the end of time! We won’t normalize [with Israel]. We won’t be with the normalizers. The liberation of Palestine is a national and religious duty, and we will liberate it from the [Jordan] River to the [Mediterranean] Sea, whether they like it or not.”
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[YouTube Channel of Fatah TV (Lebanon), June 7, 2021]
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A scout interviewed at the event stressed that youth from the age of 8 and up are taught to be “a second army to liberate Palestine”:

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Narrator of Fatah TV (Lebanon): “The Palestinian flag was waved high while accompanied by the scouts’ salute…”
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Palestinian scouts: “Our Palestine,
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We won’t forget you
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We won't accept any homeland but you
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Our Palestine
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We testify before Allah and history,
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and we swear to you
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that we will sacrifice our blood to reclaim you
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Long live Palestine
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and may we live until our victorious return.”
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Palestinian scout: “The scouts are from all the age groups… from age 8 to an unlimited age… We are passing from generation to generation the love for Palestine, loyalty to Palestine, and defense of Palestine. We emphasize the statement of [PA] President Martyr Yasser Arafat that we are a second army to liberate Palestine, Allah willing, and we are following the path.”
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[YouTube Channel of Fatah TV (Lebanon), June 7, 2021]
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A member of the Palestinian Scout Association seconded the goal of the “liberation of Palestine,” stressing that the participating scouts were “mostly young” and that they belong to “the generation of liberation and victory that will happen”:

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Palestinian Scout Association member Muhammad Al-Mughayer: “These people are mostly young. Therefore, they are the generation of liberation and victory that will happen... We are coming to stand here to say that Palestine is near and we will yet return to it.”
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[Official PA TV, Palestine This Morning, June 9, 2021]
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Moreover, a representative from the Palestinian Red Crescent interviewed at the event expressed the Palestinian Red Crescent’s approval of the recent Fatah/Hamas riot and rocket War against Israel, during which the terror organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired more than 4,300 rockets into Israel. The Red Crescent representative referred to the war as “their revolution and intifada”:

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Palestinian Red Crescent representative Dr. Ziyad Abu Al-Einein: “We in the Palestinian Red Crescent, from Martyr Mahmoud Al-Hamshari Hospital, participated in this activity today to help our people in Palestine and to support their revolution and intifada that took place recently.”
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[Official PA TV, Palestine This Morning, June 9, 2021]
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At the event, speeches were given by officials from Fatah and Hezbollah – an internationally designated terror organization. A huge poster of Imad Mughniyeh – a Lebanese terrorist and senior member of Hezbollah who was linked to major international terror attacks (see below) - adorned the ceremony.

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Palestinian Media Watch has exposed that Palestinian students, youth, and activists have used the Nazi salute in the past.

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For example, students at Bir Zeit University made the Nazi salute during protests over the cost of tuition and other financial matters, and over the university’s ban on military expression on campus:

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[Democratic Student Alliance, Facebook, Dec. 11, 2019]

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Fatah youth also performed the Nazi salute at a Fatah ceremony, in which they vowed to “be loyal to Palestine” and willing to “sacrifice everything I can for its liberation”:

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[Dalal Mughrabi Magazine, Facebook, April 17, 2015]

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The Trump peace plan

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Secretary of the Fatah Scouts Office in Lebanon Khaled Awad’s mention of “the normalizers” is a reference to Arab states and others that normalized relations with Israel during US President Trump’s term of office:

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Israel-UAE peace agreement (Abraham Accords)

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PA PM Shtayyeh endorses PA curriculum that implies to kids that violence and terror against civilians are legitimate means
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PA PM Shtayyeh justifies teaching kids that there is no State of Israel but only “Palestine”
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A recent report on PA schoolbooks commissioned by the EU found that some of the PA schoolbooks in use today include antisemitic content, present Palestinian violence and terror against Israelis as part of a “heroic struggle,” and deny the legitimacy of Israel's existence through maps that erase Israel and label the entire area “Palestine.” Despite the damning findings, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh defended the entire PA curriculum and endorsed all content of PA schoolbooks, stating that PA books ought to be judged by different standards than other curricula:

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“The Palestinian curricula cannot be judged by standards far from the history and culture of our people, their suffering, and sacrifices to obtain their right to freedom and independence from occupation, injustice, and colonialism.”
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[Website of the PA Government, English original, June 21, 2021]
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According to the EU report, which was conducted by the Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research, the mass murderer Dalal Mughrabi, who led a bus hijacking and murder of 37 Israelis - among them 12 children - “is given a prominent depiction in the textbooks, symbolising the armed violence of ‘resistance’ in the form of terror attacks on Israeli citizens and institutions...” [Report on Palestinian Textbooks, 2021, p 112] in the PA schoolbooks. The report further explains that terrorist Mughrabi and her fellow terrorists’ violence is presented as “fair and therefore justified.” [p. 114] Moreover, Mughrabi is also presented as a strong woman who “resisted colonialism.” [p. 109]

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Endorsing the entire PA curriculum, PA PM Shtayyeh thus justifies the portrayal of murderer Mughrabi as a role model for youth, and especially as an example of women’s empowerment. PM Shtayyeh also sanctions that Palestinian children are indirectly taught that it is legitimate to use violence and terror against civilians - the ultimate essence of Mughrabi’s “fame,” and that for which she is known among Palestinians.

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By his statement, Shtayyeh also approves of the denial of Israel's right to exist in any borders, as is taught to Palestinian children through maps that show all of the State of Israel as included in “the State of Palestine.” According to the EU report:

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“The term ‘Israel’ occurs relatively seldom, while the term ‘(Zionist) occupation’ dominates in the books. The cartographic representations of All-Palestine, as a political entity, a geographical region or an imagined homeland, generally do not include the State of Israel…” [p. 4]
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“None of the geographical maps of the region or symbolic or iconographic presentations of the territory identified in the corpus depicts Israel as a state.” [p. 75]
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“Maps presented in Palestinian textbooks reflect the conflict in a highly symbolic manner. The cartographic representations of an imagined All-Palestine, either as a political entity or an imagined homeland, generally do not include a spatial representation of the State of Israel or of cities founded by Jewish immigrants. The State of Israel and cities such as Tel Aviv are not charted on these maps. Sites or cities located in Israel that have large Arab-Palestinian populations are incorporated into the imagined All-Palestine, as are landscape formations that lie within Israeli state territory. A few maps show the borders of the West Bank and the settlements within it, thus visualising the disconnected territorial space administered by the Palestinian Authority.” [p. 172]
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The EU report also found some PA schoolbook texts to include antisemitic descriptions of Jews. For example, one text was found to send “the message that the Jews as a collective are dangerous and deceptive.” [p. 89]

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When Shtayyeh defended the entire content of all the books and said that “Everything mentioned in our school textbooks is an accurate and honest description of the suffering of our people for more than seven decades,” it would include his approval of any antisemitic descriptions of Jews.

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Earlier this month, Palestinian Media Watch exposed the PA’s adamant rejection of “any conditional funding by any source that targets our Palestinian curricula.” In other words, despite the findings of the EU report, the PA expects foreign donors to continue funding the PA education system, and disregard the fact that that system plays a critical role in both proliferating hate and promoting a world in which Israel does not exist.

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The real question is whether major donors to the PA - such as the EU - will demand reform as a condition of continued funding, and thereby potentially create a chance for peace, or whether they will capitulate to the dictates of the PA, condemning another generation of Palestinian children to a reality of brainwashing, hate and violence.

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The following is Shtayyeh’s defense of the entire PA curriculum:

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PA PM Muhammad Shtayyeh: “It's important to emphasize that our educational curricula reflect our lives, our children's dreams for freedom, and the suffering of our people from the occupation and its violations. Everything mentioned in our school textbooks is an accurate and honest description of the suffering of our people for more than seven decades, during which they suffered from forceful displacement and from the killing of their children in massacres that the Israeli archive reveals its horrific details.
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While our curricula respond to our children's cultural, historical, psychological, scientific, technological, economic, and development needs, they also deal with the international charters and resolutions that consider the Palestinian territory an occupied territory. The curricula respond to UNESCO standards and values of truth, justice, and equality, which are the values that our people struggle to obtain with the end of the occupation of our land.
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The Palestinian curricula cannot be judged by standards far from the history and culture of our people, their suffering, and sacrifices to obtain their right to freedom and independence from occupation, injustice, and colonialism.
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I call on Europe to conduct a study of Israeli textbooks and curricula similar to the study prepared on our curricula by a German institution and a fund from the European Union.”
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[Website of the PA Government, English original, June 21, 2021]
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The EU’s Report on Palestinian Textbooks 2017-2019 was researched and written by The Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research and published in June 2021.

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3 convicted murderers taught university courses in prison under the auspices of UNESCO
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BA and MA degrees entirely free of charge for imprisoned terrorists – the PA pays!
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Imprisoned planner of murder of 5 teaches MA program in “Israel Studies” to fellow inmates
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Father preferred terrorist son stay in prison to complete MA supervised by terrorist who planned murder of 5
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At least 4 Palestinian universities offer degree programs to imprisoned terrorists
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Parents see prison as a career path for their terrorist sons – all the way to a PhD
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Imprisoned Palestinian terrorists, including murderers, receive free university studies within Israeli prisons – generously funded by the Palestinian Authority and in cooperation with Palestinian universities and even UNESCO! This is in addition to numerous other benefits with which the Palestinian Authority rewards terrorist prisoners.

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Palestinian law lists these and other benefits, among them numerous payments and allowances: “Ensuring jobs for the released prisoners,” “payment of monthly salary,” and “exemption from tuition at the schools and universities, and from health insurance fees, and from payments of training courses.” [PA Law of Prisoners and Released Prisoners, 2004 and implementing regulations from 2010 and 2013].

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In 2006, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and held hostage for over five years, while Hamas demanded he be exchanged for terrorists including murderers in Israeli prisons. While the captive Israeli soldier was suffering in isolation, Palestinian terrorist prisoners enjoyed their many benefits – including access to higher education. In 2011, Israel decided to cancel many of these benefits, including cancelling their access to higher education. Appeals submitted by imprisoned terrorists were discussed at length, including in decisions of Israel's Supreme Court in 2012 and in 2015. The appeals were rejected after the courts ruled that the terrorists do not have a specific right to participate in higher education, and that the fact that they are categorized as “security prisoners” is sufficient to distinguish them from criminal prisoners, who are entitled to participate in higher education.

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While allowing imprisoned criminals to study is often seen as a means for their rehabilitation, there is consensus that these considerations are not valid regarding prisoners who carried out ideological terror crimes. When the Palestinian terrorists return to Palestinian society, they are not considered criminals who committed an offence and were in need of “rehabilitation”, but rather hailed as “heroes.”

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Accordingly, receiving university degrees, which only a minority of law-abiding Palestinians are able to achieve outside of prison, may for some Palestinians constitute another incentive for terror.

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Since the decision was made, Israel has never rescinded the prohibition against terrorists receiving university education in the prisons. Nonetheless, the reality seems to be quite different.

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In a recent interview, Al-Quds Open University’s President’s Aide for Student Affairs, Muhammad Shahin, described in detail the thriving university programs for terrorists in prison. He explained who is involved, how the system works, and how it is funded. The program offers several degrees, includes “teachers” and “academic supervisors” within the prisons, as well as exam committees to ensure that everything is done according to “university standards.”

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Describing the facilitation of university studies for imprisoned terrorists – who are “a crown of honor on our heads” - as “part of the university’s social responsibility,” Shahin provided the following facts on the university program, which has existed in one form or other since 2000:

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The current program was established in 2014 in an agreement between Al-Quds Open University, the then Ministry for Prisoners’ Affairs (now named PLO Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs), and the PA Ministry of Education.
Studies are free of charge for the prisoners. 30% of the costs are paid by Al-Quds University “as a scholarship for all the prisoners,” and the rest is paid by the PLO Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs.
Terrorist Marwan Barghouti, planner of murder of 5 and serving 5 life sentences, teaches an MA program in “Israel Studies” to fellow inmates as part of Al-Quds Open University.
Al-Quds Open University runs programs in 5 prisons: Rimon, Ketziot, Gilboa, Nafha, and Shikma.
In each prison there is “a committee of academics” made up of prisoners with an MA or a PhD. The committee supervises exams, grades, submission of grades – “all the procedures, and especially the academic ones so that they follow the rules and criteria found within the university.”
A lawyer from the PLO Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs brings out the exams from the prisons and “submits them to the acceptance and registration deanship at the university.”

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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Oct. 8, 2020]

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Despite the ostensible prohibition, Palestinian Media Watch has exposed that the illegal university programs at the Israeli prisons continue unabated, despite the denial by the Israeli Prison Service that such studies are taking place. In fact, Qadri Abu Bakr, Director of the PLO’s Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs, acknowledged earlier this year that the PA owes over $3 million in tuition fees to Palestinian universities for terrorist students.

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The Palestinian university degree programs in the prisons are “self-sufficient” in the sense that “faculty members” are appointed from among the prisoners themselves. An imprisoned terrorist murderer with a degree may become a teacher of a university course. Thus Marwan Barghouti, convicted for planning the murder of 5 and serving 5 life sentences, and who supposedly has “a doctorate in political science,” teaches a course in “Israel Studies” to fellow inmates:

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$\"\"$ $\"\"$ $\"\"$ $\"\"$

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Official PA TV host: “[The program is] not just BA degrees. The prisoners are also obtaining MA degrees –“
\nAl-Quds Open University Political Science Department Head Ziyad Ayyad: “Correct… It began in 2012, when we began with MA [studies] through brother Dr. Marwan Barghouti, who initiated the MA [program] of Israeli Studies in the prisons. This program has been a great success. We have produced many students with MA diplomas.”
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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Oct. 8, 2020]
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Terrorist Barghouti also “supervises” student inmates’ work on their theses:

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“Prisoner Rateb Al-Hreibat… has completed the requirements to receive a master’s degree in ‘Israeli Studies’ from Al-Quds University… Fatah Movement leader prisoner Marwan Barghouti, who holds a doctorate in political science, supervised Al-Hreibat’s master’s degree thesis.”
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[Official Fatah Facebook page, May 22, 2020]
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In fact, Barghouti’s program and the opportunity in general for Palestinian terrorists to study for free in prison is so popular that one terrorist’s father even told his son to stay in prison to complete his degree rather than apply for early release:

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Released prisoner Iyad Al-Jarjawi: “I used to hear that the prison is an academy, a university, a school… The experience of [my] master’s degree [in prison]: I truly thank Marwan Barghouti… We copied the books and did our research, everything by hand… If you want to earn a master’s degree in prison, you need to study 14 hours every day… What is the source of joy and what causes one to stand firm as a prisoner? It’s the joy of my mother and father.”
\nOfficial PA TV host: “They supported you.”
\nIyad Al-Jerjawi: “So much that [when] I submitted [a request] for “early release,” my father said “No, don’t leave, complete the master’s degree!” …
\nHost: “They encouraged you.”
\nIyad Al-Jerjawi: “Exactly.”
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[Official PA TV, I Call You, July 13, 2020]
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Another happy father blessed yet another murderer teacher:

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Father of prisoner Hamza Taqtouq: “Allah be praised and with Allah’s mercy, now inside the prison Hamza [Taqtouq] (i.e., terrorist, murdered 1 together with accomplices) is becoming educated and is learning. He is in his third year of university and is about to start the fourth year. This is thanks to the guys who are imprisoned inside, all of them without exception. I should also note Yasser Abu Bakr (i.e., terrorist, responsible for murder of 3), who has the strength and pride to teach Hamza, and I say 1,000 blessings to Yasser Abu Bakr.”
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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Aug. 29, 2019]
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Once their sons are in prison, parents see this as a career path, all the way to a PhD:

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Official PA TV host: “What is the significance today of you receiving a diploma that brings hope [to the prisoners] through your son?”
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Prisoner Muhammad Abu Taha’s father: “I’m proud of my son, who struggled and made an effort and received a diploma… This is something that arouses pride among all the prisoners… Praise Allah, he achieved it. Allah willing, [he’ll also achieve] a PhD…”
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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Feb. 6, 2020]
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Not only Al-Quds Open University offers degrees to terrorists. So does An-Najah University. It even has 3 convicted murderers on “staff” teaching a course in International Law and Human Rights!

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When family members showed their terrorist prisoner relatives’ course certificates on official PA TV, one of them was a certificate for a course in International Law and Human Rights jointly issued by UNESCO and An-Najah National University.

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$\"\"$ $\"\"$ $\"\"$ $\"\"$

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Sister of Wael Al-Shakhdam and mother of terrorist Shadi Abu Shakhdam: “The proof of their studies [in prison]… I received four certificates in one day…”
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Visuals:
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Certificate for a course in International Law and Human Rights (logo of IDNILHR)
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Certificate for a course in International Law and Human Rights (logos of UNESCO and An-Najah University)
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Certificate for a course in International Law and Human Rights (logo of Fatah)
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Father of terrorist Shadi Abu Shakhdam: “Prison is a school. There are those who have succeeded in taking advantage of this and succeeded in receiving higher [education] certificates – MA certificates and a diploma.”
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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Oct. 26, 2019]
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UNESCO's certificate mentions the course instructors who include three murderers responsible for the deaths of 25 Israelis: Yasser Abu Bakr – responsible for attacks in which 3 were murdered, Nasser Awais – responsible for attacks in which 14 were murdered, and Izz Al-Din Hamamrah – involved in attacks in which 8 were murdered:

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“Certificate of participation - UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Democracy / An-Najah National University confirms that Mr. Wael Abu Shakhdam has completed a training course in International Law and Human Rights of 15 study hours between the dates of Feb. 25, 2018 - April 30, 2018 at the Nafha Prison
\nInstructors: Prisoner Yasser Abu Bakr, prisoner Nasser Awais, prisoner Izz Al-Din Hamamrah (i.e., together involved in murder of 25) and prisoner Khaled Al-Qorm...
\n[Signed by: UNESCO] Chair Director Dr. Johnny Asi, [An-Najah National] University Acting President Dr. Maher Natsheh”
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[Facebook page of terrorist Wael Abu Shakhdam, Aug. 15, 2020]”
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Other Palestinian universities providing courses and degrees to imprisoned terrorists are Abu Dis University and Kadoorie University:

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“The Fatah Movement’s Jenin branch, [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs, the [PA-funded] Prisoners’ Club, and the Martyr Abu Jihad Center at Abu Dis University… held a graduation ceremony for 38 prisoners in the Israeli occupation prison… [Manager] of Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs [in Jenin] Saif Abu Sayyaf said that 100 prisoners have completed their studies at Al-Quds Open University, 150 are continuing to study for a master’s and bachelor’s degree, four prisoners have completed their studies at An-Najah National University, and two prisoners at Kadoorie University.”
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[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 21, 2020]
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The PA is keen to show the success of these university programs to the population and celebrates in public whenever imprisoned terrorists graduate. In Jenin, for example, an event was held to celebrate the graduation of terrorist Shadi Muhammad Souqiyyeh who participated in numerous terror attacks:

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“Al-Quds Open University and the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs celebrated the graduation… of a number of prisoners in the occupation’s prison, under the auspices of Jenin District Governor Akram Rajoub and Al-Quds Open University President Younes Amr.
\nParticipating [in the ceremony] were… the relatives of four prisoners in the occupation’s prison who completed the requirements to graduate from Al-Quds Open University [among them]: Shadi Muhammad Souqiyyeh (i.e., terrorist, involved in numerous attacks)…”
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[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Aug. 24, 2020]
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Likewise, the PA informs the public of how many imprisoned terrorists have received diplomas:

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\n
“The [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs said… that 25 prisoners in the occupation’s prison graduated university and received bachelor’s degrees from Al-Quds Open University in the 2019-2020 academic year… There are currently 1,070 prisoners in the occupation’s prison who are registered for study programs to complete their university bachelor’s degree, including 832 prisoners who are registered for the study program offered by Al-Quds Open University.”
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[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 27, 2020]
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Another display of the wonders of of the university program appeared in the official PA daily, which described how terrorist murderer Omar Rimawi, who is now over 18 years old, has enjoyed the wide range of offers in terms of studies in prison. Together with an accomplice, Rimawi at age 14 stabbed and murdered off-duty Israeli soldier Tuvia Yanai Weissman in a supermarket. Endorsing the murder as “an operation,” the official PA daily listed the many courses Omar has completed in prison:

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“Omar is taking advantage of the prison term in order to study beautiful literature and books on politics and religion. He has also completed courses in journalism, first aid, and international rights, and is making sure to exercise in order to stay fit.”
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[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 15, 2020]
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The following are longer excerpts of the statements cited above and additional reports on the Palestinian university degrees being taught in the Israeli prisons:

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Regarding Israel's decision to prohibit terrorist prisoners access to higher education, Israeli Justice U. Shoham noted, relying on previous findings and precedents set by the Court:

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“It seems that everyone agrees on the premise that there is an inherent difference between criminal prisoners and security prisoners, who have committed serious offenses on ideological grounds, and as a whole rehabilitation considerations are not applicable to them.”
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[Further Hearing of the Israeli High Court of Justice 204/13, per Justice Shoham, page 33]
\n

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Al-Quds Open University President’s Aide for Student Affairs Muhammad Shahin: “We send all the blessings to our prisoners, who are truly a crown of honor on our heads… This program [of studies] is defiance within the Israeli prisons... At Al-Quds Open [University] we have begun the practical and fixed program in 5 prisons: Rimon, Ketziot, Gilboa, Nafha, and Shikma – as part of an agreement signed between Al-Quds Open University, the [PA] Ministry of Prisoners’ Affairs in 2014 now the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs, and the [PA] Ministry of Education and Higher Education…
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The most important criteria is the presence of a committee of academics in each of these prisons, from among [the prisoners] with an MA or PhD… The committee supervises the exams, the grades, the submission of the grades, all the procedures, and especially the academic ones so that they follow the rules and criteria found within the university… The lawyer of the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs brings the exams [out of the prisons]. He submits them to the acceptance and registration deanship at the university… The goal is to serve the prisoners as part of the university’s social responsibility. From 2000 and until 2014, the program was completely for free… Al-Quds Open University would be the body that would oversee studies for prisoners. That was the agreement. When the implementation began, the [Israeli] prison management forced the Hebrew Open University [on the prisoners], which provides programs that have no connection to our heritage, history, and possibilities… But since 2014… 30% of the costs [are being paid] by the university as a scholarship for all the prisoners, and the rest is paid by the Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs without collecting [money] from the prisoner…”
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Official PA TV host: “[The program is] not just BA degrees. The prisoners are also obtaining MA degrees –“
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Al-Quds Open University Political Science Department Head Ziyad Ayyad: “Correct… It began in 2012, when we began with MA [studies] through brother Dr. Marwan Barghouti, who initiated the MA [program] of Israeli Studies in the prisons. This program has been a great success. We have produced many students with MA diplomas.”
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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Oct. 8, 2020]
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Marwan Barghouti

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UNESCO grants university certificates to Palestinian terrorist prisoners via An-Najah University

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UNESCO and An-Najah University issued a certificate to a prisoner for completing a course in International Law and Human Rights. Three of the instructors were convicted murderers:

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“Certificate of participation - UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Democracy / An-Najah National University confirms that Mr. Wael Abu Shakhdam has completed a training course in International Law and Human Rights of 15 study hours between the dates of Feb. 25, 2018 - April 30, 2018 at the Nafha Prison
\nInstructors: Prisoner Yasser Abu Bakr, prisoner Nasser Awais, prisoner Izz Al-Din Hamamrah (i.e., involved in murder of 25) and prisoner Khaled Al-Qorm...
\n[Signed by: UNESCO] Chair Director Dr. Johnny Asi, [An-Najah National] University Acting President Dr. Maher Natsheh”
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[Facebook page of terrorist Wael Abu Shakhdam, Aug. 15, 2020]”
\n

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Director of the PA-funded Prisoners’ Club in Hebron Amjad Al-Najjar: We want to send our blessings to all of our heroic prisoners… and to heroic prisoner Wael Abu Shakhdam Al-Husseini and Shadi Abu Shakhdam Al-Husseini (i.e., terrorist, planned murder of 6) who have been imprisoned for 18 years …
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Sister of Wael Al-Shakhdam and mother of terrorist Shadi Abu Shakhdam: “The proof of their studies [in prison]… I received four certificates in one day…”
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Captions:
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Certificate for a course in International Law and Human Rights (logo of IDNILHR)
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Certificate for a course in International Law and Human Rights (logos of UNESCO and An-Najah University)
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Certificate for a course in International Law and Human Rights (logo of Fatah)
\n
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Father of terrorist Shadi Abu Shakhdam: “Prison is a school. There are those who have succeeded in taking advantage of this and succeeded in receiving higher [education] certificates – MA certificates and a diploma.”
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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Oct. 26, 2019]
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Shadi Abu Shakhdam

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Wael Abu Shakhdam

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Three of the instructors teaching the UNESCO/An-Najah University course in International Law and Human Rights were convicted murderers:

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Yasser Abu Bakr

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Nasser Awais

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Izz Al-Din Khaled Hamamrah

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Khaled Al-Qorm

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Official PA TV program Giants of Endurance, visit to the family of terrorist prisoner Hamza Taqtouq, who murdered 1 together with accomplices

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Father of prisoner Hamza Taqtouq: “Allah be praised and with Allah’s mercy, now inside the prison Hamza [Taqtouq] (i.e., terrorist, murdered 1 together with accomplices) is becoming educated and is learning. He is in his third year of university and is about to start the fourth year. This is thanks to the guys who are imprisoned inside, all of them without exception. I should also note Yasser Abu Bakr (i.e., terrorist, responsible for murder of 3), who has the strength and pride to teach Hamza, and I say 1,000 blessings to Yasser Abu Bakr.”
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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Aug. 29, 2019]
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Hamza Taqtouq, Bassam Ktei, and Ayham Kamamji

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Official PA TV host: “What is the significance today of you receiving a diploma that brings hope [to the prisoners] through your son?”
\nPrisoner Muhammad Abu Taha’s father: “I’m proud of my son, who struggled and made an effort and received a diploma… This is something that arouses pride among all the prisoners… Praise Allah, he achieved it. Allah willing, [he’ll also achieve] a PhD…”
\nPLO Executive Committee Secretary Saeb Erekat: “We in the PLO Executive Committee and the Fatah Central Committee have decided to start courses with official diplomas... Today we distributed [diplomas] to approximately 70 prisoner graduates.”
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[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Feb. 6, 2020]
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Muhammad Abu Taha

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Headline: “Al-Quds Open University and the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs celebrate the graduation of four prisoners from Jenin”
\n“Al-Quds Open University and the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs celebrated the graduation yesterday [Aug. 23, 2020] of a number of prisoners in the occupation’s prison, under the auspices of Jenin District Governor Akram Rajoub and Al-Quds Open University President Younes Amr.
\nParticipating [in the ceremony] were… the relatives of four prisoners in the occupation’s prison who completed the requirements to graduate from Al-Quds Open University, and they are: Shadi Muhammad Souqiyyeh (i.e., terrorist, involved in numerous attacks), Muhammad Daoud Tahaineh, Muhammad Abd Al-Majid Sharqiyah, and Yahya Jamal Antir (PMW was unable to determine the nature of their crimes –Ed.)…
\n[Jenin District Governor] Rajoub emphasized that the prisoners are the guardians of the Palestinian cause, and that they are defending the Palestinian people’s honor and its rights to sovereignty over its land and to establishing its independent state.”
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[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Aug. 24, 2020]
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Shadi Muhammad Souqiyyeh

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Headline: “25 prisoners graduated university and received bachelor’s degrees”
\n“The [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs said yesterday [July 26, 2020] that 25 prisoners in the occupation’s prison graduated university and received bachelor’s degrees from Al-Quds Open University in the 2019-2020 academic year.
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The commission explained in a statement yesterday that the education program for prisoners is a result of a memorandum of understanding that was signed between the [PA] Ministry of [Education and] Higher Education, the Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs, and Al-Quds Open University, and that the studies are currently taking place in six prisons: Ketziot, Ramon, Eshel, Gilboa, Nafha, and Ashkelon…
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It should be noted that there are currently 1,070 prisoners in the occupation’s prison who are registered for study programs to complete their university bachelor’s degree, including 832 prisoners who are registered for the study program offered by Al-Quds Open University.”
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[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 27, 2020]
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Headline: “Prisoner Omar Rimawi – a smile against a life sentence”
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$\"\"$ “Thirty soldiers with full military equipment surrounded him inside the ‘Ofer’ military court hall, and prevented him from even exchanging looks of longing with his mother and father whom he has not seen for over four months, and the one who is called ‘judge’ shouts: ‘life sentence, life sentence.’
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The Israeli [military] prosecutor’s office submitted an appeal to the occupation’s court over six months ago, with a request to increase the sentence of prisoner Omar Rimawi (i.e., terrorist, murdered 1 together with an accomplice) from 35 years to life. This was according to its wishes and the wishes of the family of the soldier who was killed in the stabbing operation in February 2016 at the Rami Levy branch in the settlement of Sha’ar Binyamin…
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The occupation’s court explained in the sentence: ‘Omar smiled on the day his first sentence was given, and no signs of frustration were visible on him. In addition, he made the “V” sign with his hand, and did not care that he would spend 35 years in prison!’ (PMW has been unable to verify if this was actually said at the sentencing.)
\n\n
His father, Samir Rimawi, was surprised that this clause appeared in the new sentence, but said that he thinks that the occupation waited until his son turned 18 in order to increase his sentence to life.
\n\n
His father said: ‘Omar smiled and made a “V” with his hand during the deliberations in his trial because he was in front of his mother whom he misses since he has not seen her for a long time. He wanted to calm her down that he is okay so she would not worry about him, such that his behavior stemmed only from his desire to raise her spirits.’ …
\nHe added: ‘Omar received the new sentence and emphasized that regardless of the sentence, one day he will [obtain] his freedom. His heart and soul always told him this, and therefore he is calm regarding this. We also hope that he will be released soon.’ …
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[Omar Rimawi] was in the ninth grade when he was arrested, and today if he was outside of prison he would have been in his first year of university…
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Omar is taking advantage of the prison term in order to study beautiful literature and books on politics and religion. He has also completed courses in journalism, first aid, and international rights, and is making sure to exercise in order to stay fit.”
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[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 15, 2020]
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Omar Rimawi and Ayham Sabah

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$\"\"$ Image and text posted on the official Fatah Facebook page

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The image shows a modified picture of Rateb Al-Hreibat’s head photoshopped on a body wearing a graduation cap and gown and holding a rolled diploma, with the Palestinian flag in the background.
\n\n
Posted text: “In the name of All-Merciful Allah
\n‘Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do’ [Quran 58:11]
\n\n
Prisoner Rateb Al-Hreibat (PMW was unable to determine the details of his crimes –Ed.) from Dura has completed the requirements to receive a master’s degree in ‘Israeli Studies’ from Al-Quds University.
\n\n
Al-Hreibat registered with the university for advanced studies at the regional studies faculty with a specialization in ‘Israeli Studies’ during his imprisonment in the occupation’s prisons. It should be noted that he was a student at Al-Quds Open University before his imprisonment.
\n\n
Al-Hreibat was arrested in 2002 and sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment…
\nFatah Movement leader prisoner Marwan Barghouti (i.e., terrorist, orchestrated three attacks in which 5 were murdered), who holds a doctorate in political science, supervised Al-Hreibat’s master’s degree thesis.”
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[Official Fatah Facebook page, May 22, 2020]
\n

\n\n

\n
“The [PLO] Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners’ Affairs and Al-Quds Open University yesterday [Jan. 8, 2020] honored the family of Martyr prisoner Sami Abu Diak (i.e., terrorist, murdered 4), one of the students of the study program in the occupation’s prisons that the university is running in cooperation with the Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs, and this was at the university’s presidential building in Ramallah.
\n\n
Chairman of the [university’s] Board of Trustees Adnan Samarah, university President Dr. Younes Amr, and Director of Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners’ Affairs Qadri Abu Bakr presented an honorary bachelor’s degree to the family of Martyr student Sami Ahed Abu Diak as well as an honorary plaque…
\n\n
University Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Muhammad Shahin said that Al-Quds Open University ‘has been running a program to teach the students in the occupation’s prisons in recent years, which comes as a result of a memorandum of understanding between the [PA] Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research with the Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs and Al-Quds Open University. Until now, the program has included five prisons and approximately 900 student prisoners have joined it.’
\n\n
He added: ‘This program is extraordinary and approximately 200 graduates who have received bachelor’s degrees in a number of the specializations that the university offers have come out of it, and the studies are being held at five prisons: Ktzi’ot, Ramon, Gilboa, Nafha, and Shikma.’”
\n\n
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 9, 2020]
\n

\n\n

Sami Ahed Abu Diak

\n\n

\n
Headline: “The [PA] Ministry of Education announced the results of the prisoners’ matriculation exams”
\n“The [PA] Ministry of Education’s matriculation exams committee yesterday [Nov. 14, 2019] announced the results of the matriculation exams of the prisoners in the occupation’s prisons for 2019…
\nThe matriculation exams committee explained that the number of those sitting the exams was 619 prisoners from 11 different prisons, including six female prisoners, and the number of those who passed was 427, in other words 68.98%. The Ministry of Education and the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners’ Affairs conveyed their congratulations and esteem for our brave prisoners, and congratulated those who passed and their relatives on this accomplishment, which was accomplished despite all of the obstacles that the occupation places and through which it strives to deprive the prisoners of education and a dignified life.”
\n\n
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 15, 2019]
\n

\n\n

Official PA TV program I Call You, hosting the family of terrorist prisoner Fadi Abu Al-Sabah, a Hamas explosives expert

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\n
Brother of terrorist Fadi Abu Al-Sabah: “We are taking care of his affairs with the [Red] Cross and the attorney, so he should not worry. I prepared the certificates for him for the university, because he wants to register for university.”
\nOfficial PA TV host: “Nice, good.”
\nBrother: “I prepared the matriculation exam certificates of the general high school for him.”
\nHost: “In other words, so that he will complete-”
\nBrother: “I prepared all the documents for him and they are ready, so that we will transfer them to a representative of the university. So he should not worry, Allah willing.”
\n\n
[Official PA TV, I Call You, Oct. 7, 2020]
\n

\n\n

Fadi Abu Al-Sabah

\n","title":"University degrees for imprisoned terrorists - UNESCO involved - Father told son to stay in prison to complete MA","description":"3 convicted murderers taught university courses in prison under the auspices of UNESCO","author":[{"about":"","id":431,"name":{"en":"nan jacques zilberdik, and maurice hirsch, adv.","he":""},"citeName":{"he":"","en":"Jacques-Zilberdik, N., & Hirsch, M."}}],"thumbnail":"/Storage/Images/2020/ScreenShot_PATV_081020.jpg"},{"tagIds":["1","2","20","21","82","86","91","99","190","191","198","235","285","294","858","869","870","1024","1025","1026","1030","1031","1034","1084","1312","1381","1384"],"lang":"en","tags":[],"description":"PA Olympic Committee violates Olympic principles by condemning Arab-Israeli normalization in sports and calling for sports boycott of Israel","date":{"type":"firestore/timestamp/1.0","seconds":1605187140,"nanoseconds":0},"published":true,"news":false,"id":18363,"imageUrl":"/Storage/Images/2020/poc.png","indexId":"index89","authorId":[431],"content":"

PA Olympic Committee violates Olympic principles by condemning Arab-Israeli normalization in sports and calling for sports boycott of Israel

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Following the recent peace agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, the Palestine Olympic Committee has announced its condemnation of Arab normalization with Israel in sports.

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Chairman of the Palestine Olympic Committee Jibril Rajoub – who is also the secretary of the Central Committee of Abbas’ Fatah Movement – posted the committee’s condemnation of “the crime of normalization” after the UAE Pro League signed a cooperation agreement with Israel’s Professional Football League, and called instead for “boycotting” and “isolating” Israel :

\n\n

\n
“A number of our Arab brothers are making light of the crime of normalization with the fascist occupation state in the field of sports, in a blatant violation of all the treaties, commitments, and decisions of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports…
\nThe Palestine Olympic Committee… expresses its strong condemnation of these steps, and views them as encouraging the occupation with all its elements so that it will continue the most despicable crimes against our Arab and Muslim people and against the sports system in Palestine, and this is instead of putting it on trial, boycotting it, and isolating it.”
\n\n
[Facebook page of Chairman of the Palestine Olympic Committee Jibril Rajoub, Nov. 1, 2020]
\n

\n\n

$\"\"$
\nThe announcement from the Palestine Olympic Committee (left),
\nposted by its chairman Jibril Rajoub, on Palestine Olympic Committee stationary with the POC logo that includes the five Olympic rings.

\n\n

The Palestinian Olympic Committee's statement violates several of the principles set in the Olympic Charter, among them the principle that “sports organisations within the Olympic Movement shall apply political neutrality.” This same principle is also expressed in the International Olympic Committee's Code of Ethics, Article 1.2, which demands "respect of the principle of the universality and political neutrality of the Olympic Movement." In addition, the publication of the statement using the Olympic emblem further breaches the IOC Charter bye law, which requires that the emblem only be used in a manner that contributes “to the development of the Olympic Movement and must not detract from its dignity”. The POC statement clearly violates both of these standards. Accordingly, Palestinian Media Watch has submitted a complaint to the International Olympic Committee. The Palestine Olympic Committee has been a member of the Olympic Council of Asia since 1986 and of the International Olympic Committee since 1995.

\n\n

Promoting a universal Arab boycott of Israeli sports has been official PA policy for years. Earlier this year, Rajoub “conveyed blessings to all the Arab athletes who have refused to compete with Israeli athletes” and demanded the implementation of a boycott of Israel in sports defined by Council of Arab Ministers for Youth and Sports:

\n\n

\n
“Rajoub… demanded to implement the clauses of the Executive Office's [of the Council of Arab Ministers for Youth and Sports] decision that are relevant to normalization in the field of sports and that were approved in advance: To refuse to participate in any event that the occupation state hosts; To refuse to host any event in which Israeli groups participate; and for every Arab athlete to refuse to compete against an Israeli athlete. He conveyed blessings to all of the Arab athletes who have refused to compete with Israeli athletes."
\n\n
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 5, 2020]
\n

\n\n

Jibril Rajoub is known for his adamant opposition to any joint sports activities between Arabs and particularly Palestinians with Israel. Palestinian Media Watch has exposed numerous statements by Rajoub condemning such normalization in the report The Rajoub File, which also details his support for Palestinian terror and admiration for Palestinian murderers. PMW’s exposure of Rajoub, who is also the chairman of the Palestinian Football Association, and complaints to FIFA that he was in breach of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code led to FIFA fining him and suspending him for a year.

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The week FIFA announced his fine and suspension, Rajoub held a press conference in which he attacked PMW for “waging this war on all fronts” against him, and attacked PMW’s director Itamar Marcus, saying, “he is the Goebbels of the 21st century”:

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$\"\"$ $\"\"$ $\"\"$ $\"\"$

\n\n

\n
"They are waging this war on all fronts. There's Palestinian Media Watch, whose director is Goebbels - Goebbels, Hitler's ideological theorist... He is the Goebbels of the 21st century. He prepared an indictment against me... I traveled to Latin America, and every place I go, believe me, he spreads these accusations. He submitted a complaint to the Olympic Committee, he submitted a complaint to FIFA, and when I traveled to the US - he also spread [his accusations] in the US. The only thing he does is to deal with me."
\n\n
[Official PA TV Live, Sept. 3, 2018]
\n

\n\n

Among Rajoub’s fervent statements against normalization with Israel in sports that violate Olympic and FIFA principles was his condemnation of a football match between Palestinian and Israeli boys after the Gaza war in 2014 – and any other “activity of normalization in sports with the Zionist enemy” - as “a crime against humanity” and his threat to fire any Palestinian player, coach, or referee who engages in sports with Israel:

\n\n

$\"\"$ $\"\"$

\n\n

\n
Rajoub: "This state [Israel] is a state of bullies. Fascists can learn a lesson from this state. This government -- there is none more brazen in human history... Anyone who joins any joint [sports] activity with the Israelis -- I'll take him off the [Palestinian Football] Association's lists, whether he is a player, coach, referee or, God forbid, a team... Did we act correctly and convince [FIFA's] General Assembly? Yes. Yes, we'll suspend their [Israel's] membership [in FIFA] and this way we'll screw them... I won't allow and won't agree to any joint game between Arabs and Israel... "
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[Official PA TV, July 1, 2013]
\n

\n\n

Rajoub’s overall comment to the recent normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain was that these Arab leaders are “worms that have become exposed to the sun.”

\n\n

The following is a longer excerpt of the announcement by the Palestine Olympic Committee:

\n\n

\n
Text: “An announcement from the Palestine Olympic Committee condemning the Arab normalization with the occupation in the field of sports
\nAt a time when the occupation’s crimes in their various forms are escalating against Palestinian sports and athletes… a number of our Arab brothers are making light of the crime of normalization with the fascist occupation state in the field of sports, in a blatant violation of all the treaties, commitments, and decisions of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports…
\nThe unjust thronging [towards Israel] has pained us greatly, and especially what the UAE Pro League did on Oct. 27, 2020, when its Chairman Mr. Abdullah Al Junaibi signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement in the field of sports with his Israeli counterpart [Israel Professional Football League Chairman] Erez Halfon. This was like a reward for the occupation and a whitewashing of its fascist record…
\nThe Palestine Olympic Committee… expresses its strong condemnation of these steps, and views them as encouraging the occupation with all its elements so that it will continue the most despicable crimes against our Arab and Muslim people and against the sports system in Palestine, and this is instead of putting it on trial, boycotting it, and isolating it.”
\n\n
[Facebook page of Chairman of the Palestine Olympic Committee Jibril Rajoub, Nov. 1, 2020]
\n

\n\n

Jibril Rajoub

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Israeli peace agreements with the UAE and Bahrain (the Abraham Accords), Sudan, and Morocco

\n","contentType":"Article","author":[{"about":"","id":431,"citeName":{"he":"","en":"Jacques-Zilberdik, N., & Hirsch, M."},"name":{"en":"nan jacques zilberdik, and maurice hirsch, adv.","he":""}}],"title":"PMW sends complaint to the International Olympic Committee against Palestinian Authority","thumbnail":"/Storage/Images/2020/poc.png"},{"author":[{"citeName":{"en":"Jacques-Zilberdik, N., & Hirsch, M.","he":""},"id":431,"about":"","name":{"he":"","en":"nan jacques zilberdik and maurice hirsch, adv."}}],"tags":[],"description":"The PLO readily names kids’ summer camps after murderers of Israelis.","date":{"type":"firestore/timestamp/1.0","seconds":1562716800,"nanoseconds":0},"content":"

\n\t
The Dalal Mughrabi Summer Camp - named after murderer of 37
\n\t

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\n\t
The Omar Abu Laila Summer Camp - named after murderer of 2
\n\t

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Would you name a kids’ summer camp after the perpetrators of 9/11, the New Zealand mosque shooter, or the Pittsburgh synagogue killer?

\n\n

You wouldn’t, right?
\n
\nBut the PLO readily names kids’ summer camps after murderers of Israelis.
\n
\nAt least 2 PLO summer camps for Palestinian children are named after such murderers this summer. Both are held under the auspices of the PLO Supreme Council for Sport and Youth Affairs.
\n
\nOne was named after the PA's role model terrorist murderer Dalal Mughrabi who led the most lethal terror attack in Israel’s history, when she and other Fatah terrorists hijacked a bus on Israel's Coastal Highway in March 1978, murdering 37 civilians, 12 of them children, and wounding over 70:

\n\n

The Dalal Mughrabi Summer Camp

\n\n

$\"\"$ $\"\"$

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At the Dalal Mughrabi summer camp in Tubas a picture of terrorist murderer Dalal Mughrabi is hanging on the wall as seen in the above photos. [Facebook page of the PLO Supreme Council for Sport and Youth Affairs, July 9, 2019]

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$\"\"$

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\n
Posted text: “’In the name of Allah we will say our words, [in the name of] the revolution and the cause, in the name of our righteous Martyrs, in the name of the prisoners of freedom’ - with this shout the girls of the [summer] camp named after Dalal Mughrabi, which is being held in the Tubas district, received the supervisory staff of the [PLO] Supreme Council [for Sport and Youth Affairs], who are visiting the district in order to monitor the running of the summer camps.”
\n\n
Facebook page of the PLO Supreme Council for Sport and Youth Affairs, July 9, 2019
\n

\n\n

The other PLO summer camp honoring a murderer was named after Omar Abu Laila, a 19-year-old Palestinian terrorist who murdered 2 Israelis, including a rabbi who was the father of 12, in March this year:

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The Omar Abu Laila Summer Camp

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$\"\"$

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\n
Text on sign: "Under the auspices of the [PLO] Supreme Council for Sport and Youth Affairs
\n\n
The Nahdat Bint Al-Rif Charity Association is running the children's summer camp named after Omar Abu Laila
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Under the slogan 'The home is ours and Jerusalem is ours'
\n\n
the camp will be open July 2, 2019, through July 11, 2019"
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Facebook page of the PLO Supreme Council for Sport and Youth Affairs, July 3, 2019
\n

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Palestinian Media Watch exposed earlier this week that Palestinian children were taught to venerate several arch-terrorists at a third PLO summer camp:

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Using summer camps to glorify terrorist murderers is not new to either the Palestinian Authority, PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party, or the PLO, also headed by Abbas. Such summer camps have even been funded or sponsored by the UN's children's organization (UNICEF), as documented by PMW.
\n
\nOmar Abu Laila
\n
\nNew Zealand shooting attacks

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Pittsburgh shooting attack

\n","lang":"en","indexId":"index80","authorId":[431],"tagIds":["24","26","37","87","89","99","254","258","259","294","870","1024","1030","1031","1034","1434"],"title":"Would you name a kids’ summer camp after a murderer? -The PLO would!","imageUrl":"/Storage/Images/2019/Dalal_memorial_camp_1.png","id":15929,"news":false,"contentType":"Article","published":true,"thumbnail":"/Storage/Images/2019/Dalal_memorial_camp_1.png"},{"author":[{"name":{"he":"","en":"nan jacques zilberdik and maurice hirsch, adv."},"about":"","id":431,"citeName":{"en":"Jacques-Zilberdik, N., & Hirsch, M.","he":""}}],"tags":[],"description":"Senior PA leader Jibril Rajoub said at a football exhibition in Paris that sports is \"a bridge of love and connection with the international community,\" but has forbidden Palestinian players, coaches, and teams to ever engage in sports with Israelis.","date":{"type":"firestore/timestamp/1.0","seconds":1560384000,"nanoseconds":0},"lang":"en","content":"

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\n\n

It's ironic to hear senior PA leader Jibril Rajoub say at a football exhibition in Paris that sports is "a bridge of love and connection with the international community," considering that he has forbidden Palestinian players, coaches, and teams to ever engage in sports with Israelis.

\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n

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Fatah Central Committee Secretary and Chairman of the Palestinian Football Association Jibril Rajoub:

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\n
"For us, the sport [football] is a means of presenting the hardships and suffering of our people from this fascist and racist occupation. The presentation of the Palestinian as he participates in sports spreads the human idea, the values, and the ethical code of sports as an internal message to Palestinian society, and as a bridge of love and connection with the international community."
\n\n

\nOfficial PA TV News, June 6, 2019
\n

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In contrast, Rajoub both prohibits Palestinians from participating in sporting events with Israelis, and has even said that such sporting events are no less than a "crime against humanity".

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$

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\n
Rajoub: "Anyone who participates in any joint [sports] activity with the Israelis -- I'll take him off the [Palestinian Football] Association's lists, whether he is a player, coach, referee or, God forbid, a team."
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Official PA TV, July 1, 2013
\n

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Referring to a friendly soccer game between Israeli and Palestinian children shortly after the 2014 war in Gaza, Rajoub stated that:

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\n
"Any activity of normalization in sports with the Zionist enemy is a crime against humanity."
\n

\n\n

Rajoub's reference to "the ethical code of sports" is also ironic as he himself is currently under investigation by the Ethics Committee of FIFA, the international football organization, for breaching FIFA's rules by promoting and glorifying terror against Israelis. FIFA's investigation is based solely on complaints submitted by Palestinian Media Watch, including an extensive report entitled Kick Terror Out of Football which details Rajoub's terror promotion.

\n\n

PMW has exposed similar two-faced comments by Rajoub about sports being a means to foster friendly relations among nations but not with Israel. Last year, Rajoub advised "all the nations that have conflicts" to "separate sports and politics" and said that "sports can be... a bridge to making peace." He added, however, that this is not the case with Israel - "our enemy, which doesn't want us to engage in sports":

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$\"\"$

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$\"\"$

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\n
Rajoub: "I hope that all the nations that have conflicts will insist on separating sports and politics. Sports can be a bridge to affection and creating connections, and a bridge to making peace. Of course, that's true for the whole world except for our enemy [Israel], which doesn't want us to engage in sports and doesn't want us to convince the world that we are worthy of a state and independence."
\n\n
Algerian TV 3, Sports Hour, Feb. 27, 2018
\n

\n\n

As if the irony of Rajoub's contradictory statements is not sufficient, Rajoub's recent statements in Paris seem to be also breaching FIFA's bylaws.

\n\n

By declaring that for him Palestinian football is a "means of presenting the hardships and suffering of our people", Rajoub was again breaching FIFA's Ethics code which demands that politics be kept out of sports. Specifically, to "refrain from any activity or behaviour or any attempted activity or behaviour that might give rise to the appearance or suspicion of improper conduct" and also must "remain politically neutral."

\n\n

In addition, by again referring to Israel as the "fascist and racist occupation" Rajoub was also breaching the FIFA prohibition to "not offend the dignity or integrity of a country, private person or group of people through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigratory words or actions on account of race, skin colour, ethnicity, nationality, social origin, gender, disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason."

\n\n

PMW will be notifying FIFA of Rajoub's ongoing statements that seem to be additional violations of FIFA's code of ethics.

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Note: Jibril Rajoub also holds the positions of Head of the PLO Supreme Council for Sport and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Palestine Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the Palestinian Scout Association (PSA).

\n\n

The following is a longer excerpt of Rajoub's statement:

\n\n

\n
"This state [Israel] is a state of bullies. Fascists can learn a lesson from this state. This government -- there is none more brazen in human history... Anyone who participates in any joint [sports] activity with the Israelis -- I'll take him off the [Palestinian Football] Association's lists, whether he is a player, coach, referee or, God forbid, a team... Did we act correctly and convince [FIFA's] General Assembly? Yes. Yes, we'll suspend their [Israel's] membership [in FIFA] and this way we'll screw them... I won't allow and won't agree to any joint game between Arabs and Israel... If a photo is published of [football star] Messi next to the [separation] fence, - the new Berlin Wall, - and the new Nazis [Israelis] will be seen the way they treat Palestinians, the Palestinian players -- well, this by itself will be the highest achievement."
\n\n
Official PA TV, July 1, 2013
\n

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Hamas promises Israel and its people: "slaughter, extermination, and annihilation"

\n\n

\nHamas messages during rocket attacks on Israel:

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To Palestinians:

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\n\t
"Set out on the path of Jihad and resistance"
\n\t
\n\t
"We'll fight with the rifle, the Molotov [cocktail]... O Martyrdom-seeker, tighten your [suicide] belt"
\n\t

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To Israelis:

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\n\t
"You will be crushed... there are men who passionately love Martyrdom-death"
\n\t
\n\t
"I will dig your grave with my hands... I go down with the Quran and the knife to die as a Martyr while fighting"
\n\t

\n\n

Hamas messages to Israelis after the rocket attacks:

\n\n

\n\t
"We have come to tell the Zionist enemy... leave us, for the day of your slaughter, extermination, and annihilation is near"
\n\t

\n\n

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh announced he will hold elections in the PA only after reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas has been achieved. But what will be the basis of this reconciliation? Where will Fatah meet Hamas and what ideology might they agree on?

\n\n

Hamas recently launched over 700 rockets at Israeli civilians, murdering 4 Israelis. Below is a taste of the messages Hamas sent to Palestinians and Israelis during those rocket attacks - messages that include calls for "Jihad", encouragement of Palestinians to carry out violence and terror, and die as "Martyrs," as well as threats to Israelis that their "grave" is being prepared.

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Is this the common ground PA Prime Minister Shtayyeh will agree to?

\n\n

Following the barrage of rockets, Hamas leaders continued to be vocal in their promise of genocidal violence against Israel. Hamas official Fathi Hammad addressed Israelis - "the Zionist enemy" - and told them that "the day of your slaughter, extermination, and annihilation is near":

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$\"\"$

\n\n

\n
Hamas Political Bureau member Fathi Hammad: "We have come to tell the Zionist enemy - including its people, its army, its government, and the Israeli Parliament - leave us, for the day of your slaughter, extermination, and annihilation is near. Each one of you should search for a place for yourself in Europe, or in any kind of stronghold, or in hell, or in the sea, or in the ocean, or in the Bermuda Triangle. You have no place in Palestine. You have no place on the land of Jerusalem. You have no place in the Al-Aqsa Mosque plazas, or in Jaffa, or in Haifa, or in Acre, or anywhere... leave us, for the day of your annihilation is near."
\nAl-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 15, 2019
\n

\n\n

Hamas to Palestinians during rocket attacks:

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Senior Hamas official and PA Parliament Member Abd Al-Rahman Al-Jamal:

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$\"\"$

\n\n

\n
"The time has come for this world to stand by the Palestinian people, which is defending its rights, land, and honor. We are continuing, Allah willing, [because] our honor and greatness are [achieved] by our Jihad and resistance... Set out with Allah's blessing on the path of Jihad and resistance."
\nAl-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 4, 2019
\n

\n\n

Hamas TV: "We'll fight with the rifle, the Molotov [cocktail]... Martyrdom-seeker, tighten your [explosives] belt"

\n\n

$\"\"$

\n\n

\n
"An ember lights an ember and quickly the fire ignites
\nA wave chases a wave, a storm causes a storm...
\nPull your trigger, O son of my land, and break the walls
\nof the settler who crossed the border on your land and was oppressive
\nBurst forth, O rebels, and defend the home's honor...
\nWe'll fight with the rifle, with the Molotov [cocktail], and with rocks
\nAnd by Allah, we won't give up until the home returns
\nEven if the path is long, after the night comes day...
\nO Martyrdom-seeker, tighten your [explosives] belt, and water the laurel tree (i.e., a symbol of victory)
\nThe night of tyranny has been long, but it will certainly collapse
\nYour weapon is fire and embers against the treacherous enemy...
\nWe are passionate for our land, and we have burst forth from it as free people
\nAnd the revolution is a tree that we water with the blood of the pure
\nWe'll stand firm, regardless of what happens, and we'll not accept humiliation.
\nAl-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 4, 2019
\n

\n\n

Hamas to Israelis during rocket attacks:

\n\n

Hamas TV: "You will be crushed... there are men who passionately love Martyrdom-death"

\n\n

$\"\"$

\n\n

\n
"Advance, [Israeli soldier], and await your grave, advance and be defeated;
\nSo that you will see the gate of death, you will see suffering from us...
\nHere are the battlefields of heroism and rage
\nHere are drawn and flaming swords
\nBe careful - worry will imprison you
\nBe careful - the tunnel will capture you...
\nYou will be crushed if you draw near
\nYou will be crushed if you remain
\nHere we have men who bear lethal [weapons] for you...
\nAdvance, [Israeli soldier], and await your grave
\nAdvance and we will teach you a lesson...
\nHere we have men who passionately love Martyrdom-death...
\nAdvance, [Israeli soldier], and the fire will burn you
\nAdvance and shame will pursue you."
\nAl-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 4, 2019
\n

\n\n

Hamas TV: "I will dig your grave with my hands... I go down with the Quran and the knife to die as a Martyr while fighting"

\n\n

$\"\"$

\n\n

\n
"We'll make our enemy live in fear, in fear, in fear...
\nI'll dig your grave with my hands...
\nI've reached you from all fronts, and with the will of the heroes.
\nWe don't have planes, but we have men...
\nAt the gates of the precious Al-Aqsa Mosque...
\nLeave, leave O foreigner. We'll turn your day into night. From Rafah to the Galilee, (i.e., all of Israel) the powerful wave will reach you...
\nIf [the settler] thinks to take a walk in the [Al-Aqsa Mosque] plaza,
\nset out towards him with the sharp sword...
\nStrike, strike, strike - we won't let him approach the Al-Aqsa Mosque...
\nThe response, the response, the response, the response - we'll punish the occupier (i.e., as described in the Quran)...
\n\n
Visual: Footage of stabbing attack
\n\n
Whether during the day or at night, I go down to the Al-Aqsa Mosque...
\nI go down with the Quran and the knife to die as a Martyr while fighting.
\nWe will die and Palestine will live.
\nThis is what the self-sacrificing fighters have said."
\nAl-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 4, 2019
\n

\n\n

Given the fact that Hamas continues to openly promise Israel's destruction and extermination of Jews how can there be any basis for "reconciliation" that Fatah seeks with Hamas?

\n\n

Palestinian Media Watch has reported that PA and Fatah leaders when speaking to Palestinians have stressed that on fundamental issues there is no difference between Fatah and Hamas. Fatah and PA leader Mahmoud Abbas himself has called for reconciliation with Hamas because he said they agree on all crucial issues:

\n\n

\n
Abbas: "There is no disagreement between us [Fatah and Hamas]: About belief? None! About policy? None! About resistance? None!"
\nOfficial PA TV Dec. 31, 2009
\n

\n\n

Abbas and his representatives have since repeated this sentiment.

\n\n

PM Shtayyeh himself said in 2017 that Fatah and Hamas agree that Israel has no right to exist:

\n\n

$\"\"$

\n\n

Last year, Abbas' advisor on religious affairs, Mahmoud Al-Habbash, echoed Hamas, stating that Islam's religious war to destroy Israel has started. When the US in December 2018 proposed a resolution at the UN to condemn Hamas for firing rockets into Israel and inciting violence, Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki stated that if Hamas is to be considered a terror organization, so is Fatah.

\n\n

Accordingly, based on their own statements, Fatah and Hamas could reach ideological reconciliation regarding their policy towards Israel. The reason there has not been reconciliation has always been a difference of opinion regarding power-sharing. In the last elections, Abbas won as PA Chairman while Hamas won a majority of seats in the Parliament both in Gaza and the West Bank. Both felt justified ruling over the Palestinians.

\n\n

The following is a longer excerpt of the speech by Hamas official Hammad promising to "slaughter" and "annihilate" Israelis:

\n\n

Voice off-screen: "O beloved resistance member, strike - strike Tel Aviv!"
\nHamas Political Bureau member Fathi Hammad: "Gaza says today: We have come to turn the anniversary of our Nakba (i.e., "the catastrophe," the Palestinian term for the establishment of the State of Israel) into an anniversary of intifada, progress, and victory. We have come today to announce to the entire world that we are very close to liberating our land... We have come to tell the Zionist enemy - including its people, its army, its government, and the Israeli Parliament - leave us, for the day of your slaughter, extermination, and annihilation is near. Each one of you should search for a place for yourself in Europe, or in any kind of stronghold, or in hell, or in the sea, or in the ocean, or in the Bermuda Triangle. You have no place in Palestine. You have no place on the land of Jerusalem. You have no place in the Al-Aqsa Mosque plazas, or in Jaffa, or in Haifa, or in Acre, or anywhere. We have already uprooted you from Gaza. You failed and left wrapped in disgrace. We have also uprooted you from a number of areas of the West Bank - but the [PA] security cooperation insists on stabilizing you and standing by you. Therefore, leave us, for the day of your annihilation is near.
\nIs it not so, sons of our people, our sisters? I want to hear, are you ready for liberation?"
\nCrowd: "Ready!"
\nFathi Hammad: "Louder! Ready? Let our enemy hear this call."

\n\n

[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 15, 2019]

\n\n

May 2019 Gaza rocket attacks

\n\n

Stabbing attack featured in Hamas TV music video:

\n\n

Alaa Abu Jamal
\n

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$\"\"$

\n\n

Last night The Netherlands won the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv. During the week leading up to the final, Fatah campaigned for the boycott of the Eurovision as documented by Palestinian Media Watch, but to no avail. Today, both Fatah and the Palestinian Authority daily published cartoons linking Israeli music to violence, including the visual depiction of the common PA libel that Israel intentionally kills civilians.

\n\n

Fatah posted the cartoon above on Facebook, showing an Israeli soldier shooting at Palestinians in Gaza. Musical notes are flowing from the "Eurovision" but turn into an ammunition belt for the soldier's machine gun.

\n\n

\n
Posted text in English: "#Palestine #Eurovision #gaza #free_palestine"
\n\n
Official Fatah Facebook page, May 19, 2019
\n

\n\n

In a second cartoon posted by Fatah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dressed up as Israeli singer Netta Barzilai who won last year's Eurovision and brought the competition to Israel. Netanyahu is holding a missile in each hand:

\n\n

$\"\"$

\n\n

\n
Posted text, part in Arabic and part in English:
\n\n
"Our blessings to the world's liberals
\n\n
#iceland"
\n\n
Official Fatah Facebook page, May 19, 2019
\n

\n\n

The text refers to the fact that the Eurovision competitors from Iceland held a banner in the colors of the Palestinian flag with "Palestine" written on it.

\n\n

The official PA daily reacted to the Eurovision being held in Israel with this cartoon, showing an Israeli soldier playing a saxophone with a bullet being fired from it at the ruins of a building. Text on cartoon in English: "Eurovision 2019":

\n\n

$\"\"$

\n\n

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 19, 2019]

\n","imageUrl":"/Storage/Images/2019/Post_Eurovision_2.jpg","published":true,"indexId":"index79","lang":"en","thumbnail":"/Storage/Images/2019/Post_Eurovision_2.jpg"},{"published":true,"id":15439,"tagIds":["24","26","30","254","869"],"news":false,"contentType":"Article","tags":[],"description":"Disregarding the loss of Israeli lives, Fatah and Hamas turned murder of 2 Israelis into internal politics. (March 18, 2019)","content":" \n \n

PA official implicitly endorses yesterday’s terror attack
\n

in which 2 Israelis were murdered
\n

Disregarding the loss of Israeli lives, Fatah and Hamas turned murder of 2 Israelis into internal politics
\n
Spokesman of the PA Security Forces adamantly denies having condemned attack, Hamas claims he called the attack "a crime"

by Nan Jacques Zilberdik and Maurice Hirsch, Adv.
\n
\n

With an unsurprising disregard for the lives of Israelis, the PA/Fatah and Hamas have turned yesterday’s terror attack in which a Palestinian terrorist shot and murdered 2 Israelis, including a father of 12, into an issue of their internal politics.
\n
\n

\nIn an attempt to present the PA and Fatah as soft and opposing terror attacks against Israel, Palestine Now, a pro-Hamas website, claimed that the spokesman of the PA Security Forces Adnan Al-Damiri had stated the terror attack was “a crime”:
\n
\n\n

“The Palestinian resistance factions welcomed the operation, described it as ‘heroic,’ and called to escalate the confrontation with the Israeli occupation, while Official Spokesman of the PA Security Forces in the occupied West Bank Adnan Al-Damiri described the operation as ‘criminal’.”
\n

[Palestine Now, independent Palestinian news website, March 17, 2019]
\n
\n

\nIn turn, Al-Damiri denied having made a statement about the attack and strongly emphasized that he had not said "the lies and falsehoods that were attributed to him." This statement, and the fact that he didn’t use the opportunity to actually condemn the murderous attack, constituted an implicit endorsement of it:
\n
\n\n

“Official Spokesman of the [PA] Security Forces... Adnan Al-Damiri denied that he gave any statement regarding the operation that was carried out today [March 17, 2019] in the Salfit district. He said that there is no basis to the statements that one of the media outlets that is subordinate to Hamas attributed to him.
\n

In a statement that [the official PA news agency] WAFA received a copy of today, Al-Damiri said that the lies and falsehoods that were attributed to him are an attempt to distract from the Hamas Movement’s actions against the citizens in the Gaza districts, in light of the peaceful We Want to Live protest.”
\n

[Ma’an, independent Palestinian news agency, March 17, 2019]
\n
\n

\nThe Fatah Movement also used the attack as a hand in the game of politics, highlighting the terrorist’s support for PA and Fatah Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Like PA official Al-Damiri, Fatah did not condemn the terrorist and his murderous attack either:
\n
\n\n

$\"\"$ Posted text: “Salfit district
\n

The occupation army publishes the identity of the one who carried out the operation in Ariel:
\n

Omar Abu Laila, 19, from the town of Al-Zawiya in western Salfit.
\n

[The following is] what Omar Abu Laila from the town of Al-Zawiya - whom Israel accuses of carrying out the operation in Salfit - published on his Facebook page.”
\n
\n

Text in shared post by terrorist Omar Abu Laila: “Your head is held high,
\n

Our [PA] President [Mahmoud] Abbas, we have sworn allegiance to you before Allah and before all of the people.”
\n

[Official Fatah Facebook page, March 17, 2019]
\n

\n
\nThe following are longer excerpts of the reports quoted above:
\n
\n\n

Headline: “Al-Damiri denies the quotes that media outlets subordinate to Hamas attributed to him”
\n

“Official Spokesman of the [PA] Security Forces and General Political Commissioner [of the PLO Political and National Guidance Authority] Adnan Al-Damiri denied that he gave any statement regarding the operation (i.e., terror attack committed by terrorist Omar Abu Laila, 2 murdered; see note below) that was carried out today [March 17, 2019] in the Salfit district. He said that there is no basis to the statements that one of the media outlets that is subordinate to Hamas attributed to him.
\n

In a statement that [the official PA news agency] WAFA received a copy of today, (Saturday) (sic., Sunday), Al-Damiri said that the lies and falsehoods that were attributed to him are an attempt to distract from the Hamas Movement’s actions against the citizens in the Gaza districts, in light of the peaceful We Want to Live protest.”
\n

[Ma’an, independent Palestinian news agency, March 17, 2019]
\n
\n

\nOmar Abu Laila - Palestinian terrorist who stabbed Israeli soldier Gal Keidan, stole his weapon, and shot and murdered him at Ariel Junction on March 17, 2019. Abu Laila then shot at passersby killing Rabbi Achiad Ettinger, and stole the car of a civilian who had fled the scene, which he drove to Gitai Avishar Junction, west of Ariel, where he shot and seriously wounded another Israeli. The terrorist has not been caught as of March 18, 2019.
\n
\nAdnan Al-Damiri also holds the position of General Political Commissioner of the PLO Political and National Guidance Authority.
\n
\n\n

$\"\"$ Headline: “Pictures: Residents of Gaza distribute sweets out of joy over the Salfit operation”
\n

“Young people distributed sweets this morning (Sunday) [March 17, 2019] in the streets in various areas of the Gaza Strip, out of joy over the operation (i.e., terror attack) in which 2 (sic., 1 at the time this was published) Israelis were killed and two others were wounded (attack committed by terrorist Omar Abu Laila; see note below -Ed.).
\n

From the early morning hours and after the operation was carried out, the mosques of Gaza broke out into calls of Allahu Akbar (i.e., “Allah is greatest”) $\"\"$ and ‘There is no God other than Allah.’ Young people distributed sweets in the streets to citizens who expressed their great joy over the operation, particularly in light of the fact that it took place after the latest Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip (refers to Israeli retaliatory airstrikes after terrorists in Gaza fired two rockets at Tel Aviv on March 14, 2019 -Ed.).
\n

The Palestinian resistance factions welcomed the operation, described it as ‘heroic,’ and called to escalate the confrontation with the Israeli occupation, while Official

\n $\"\"$ \n

Spokesman of the PA Security Forces in the occupied West Bank Adnan Al-Damiri described the operation as ‘criminal’ (Al-Damiri denied the rumors that he had done so -Ed.).”
\n

[Palestine Now, independent Palestinian news website, March 17, 2019]
\n
\n

\nThe article includes pictures of sweets being distributed in the streets of Gaza. In one of the pictures, a plate of sweets is presented with a sign held above it.
\n
\nText on sign: “Hamas welcomes the heroic operation in Salfit”
\n
\n","date":{"type":"firestore/timestamp/1.0","seconds":1552867200,"nanoseconds":0},"indexId":"index77","author":[{"id":431,"about":"","citeName":{"en":"Jacques-Zilberdik, N., & Hirsch, M.","he":""},"name":{"he":"","en":"nan jacques zilberdik and maurice hirsch, adv."}}],"imageUrl":"/storage/bulletins/thumbnails/knife_stab.jpg","title":"Palestinian Authority official implicitly endorses yesterday’s terror attack in which 2 Israelis were murdered","authorId":[431],"lang":"en","thumbnail":"/storage/bulletins/thumbnails/knife_stab.jpg"},{"content":" \n \n

BA degree earned by terrorist prisoner

involved in murder of Israel's Minister of Tourism

484 terrorist prisoners are studying for BA degrees in Al-Quds Open University program, in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education
\n h
Terrorist prisoners with academic degrees supervise, test other terrorists, and grade them; lawyers bring in study materials, and bring out grades to be recorded at the university

Tuition paid by PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs, which is funded by the Palestinian National Fund, recently declared a terror organization by Israel

Israeli law prohibits university programs for terrorists in prison, as they constitute a reward for terror

Nan Jacques Zilberdik and Maurice Hirsch

Terrorist prisoner Majdi Al-Rimawi, a Palestinian terrorist serving a life sentence for participating in the planning and carrying out of the murder of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze'evi in 2001, has just received a BA degree in prison:

"Al-Quds Open University and the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners' Affairs yesterday [March 13, 2017] celebrated the graduation of prisoners Majdi Hussein Yusuf Al-Rimawi..."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 14, 2017]

As a response to the Israeli Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the Israeli government decision to prohibit terrorist prisoners from studying for academic degrees, the Palestinian Al-Quds Open University started offering studies to prisoners in March 2016. [Al-Quds, March 1, 2016]

The program is based on a "memorandum of understanding with the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs and the [PA] Ministry of Education and Higher Education." [The Al-Quds Open University Message, December 2016]

Prisoners in general and security prisoners in particular, are only allowed to conduct specific activities permitted to them by Israeli law and the rules of the Israeli Prison Service. In accordance with these, since 2011, security prisoners are no longer permitted to participate in degree courses.

Furthermore, it is important to stress that the Al-Quds Open University program for prisoners is funded by the PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs, which is funded by the Palestinian National Fund. The Palestinian National Fund was declared a terror organization by Israel on March 16, 2017.

According to Israeli Supreme Court President Miriam Naor's ruling in 2015, this is a further reason not to allow the studies:

\n\n

"I see no place to intervene in the decision of the [Israeli] Prison Service, according to which it is not obliged to allow prisoners to acquire academic education, despite its importance, if it becomes clear that the funding for this arrives from terror organizations... Transfers of money from terror organizations to prisoners - whether as compensation for the crimes that they committed, or as an incentive to continue ideological activity against the State [of Israel] - are liable to endanger the security of the state."

\n\n

[Further hearing of the Israeli High Court of Justice 204/13, ruling 22, page 19]

An article in the Al-Quds Open University newspaper describes how the program bypasses the Israeli Prison Service (IPS):

The PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs pays tuition
Lawyers bring in study materials
The university appoints terrorist prisoners with a master's or a doctoral degree to oversee the terrorist students, give tests, and grade them
Lawyers bring out grades to be recorded at the university

Director-General of the study program in the PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Muhammad Al-Batta explained the success of the program:

"It is not dependent on the whims of the Israeli Prison Service and its steps, but rather is being carried out in direct contact with the academic supervisory committees within the prisons through a lawyer on behalf of the Prisoners' Club (i.e., PA funded organization)."

"He explained that the study course materials are being brought in and the grades are being brought out [to be recorded at the university] with the aid of the lawyers. He added: 'This program is being carried out far from the Israeli Prison Service, for it has no connection with it as the books are being brought in by the lawyers, and this is also how the grades are being transferred.' Al-Batta noted that the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs is the one funding this program through the payment of tuition."

[The Al-Quds Open University Message, December 2016]

The Al-Quds Open University study program is introduced at prisons where lawyers are able to bring in study materials, and where prisoners with academic degrees can form an "academic supervisory committee" to oversee the studies:

"Among these important conditions [for setting up the program] are the ability to bring the study course materials into the prison and the presence of at least five prisoners with a master's or doctoral degree who will serve as the program's supervisory committee within the prison. This committee is the one that is responsible before the university, the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs, and the [PA] Ministry of Education and Higher Education for all of the processes, the activities, and the supervision of the study process with all of its components, including examinations, transferring the grades to the university, and signing the grade lists."

[The Al-Quds Open University Message, December 2016]

President of Al-Quds Open University, Professor Younes Amr, stated that three prisons are involved so far, with a total of 484 prisoner students studying in three main departments: Arabic Language, Islamic Education, and Social Work. The university is hoping to add a fourth prison and reach a total of 600 students.

At a ceremony celebrating terrorist Al-Rimawi's degree, Director of Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake said the Israeli prisons have become "universities" that "empower our prisoner sons":

"We have shattered the life sentence and the prison time, as this is not just an academic certificate but a certificate of hope and a future. This is a part of our philosophy and our efforts to empower our prisoner sons... Through the studies, the prisons have turned into universities in which there are creativity, science, studies, and lectures."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 14, 2017]

Interestingly, while the program was only initiated in March 2016, only a year later, terrorist Al-Rimawi already obtained a BA degree from Al-Quds Open University.

Palestinian Media Watch has reported on other terrorist prisoners who have obtained academic degrees while imprisoned.

PMW has notified the IPS that hundreds of Palestinian terrorist prisoners continue to study for academic degrees in spite of the ban.

Click to read PMW's report on the Palestinian Authority's salary rewards to terrorists .

The following are longer excerpts of the reports on the university program for terrorists:

Headline: "Al-Quds Open University celebrates the graduation of two prisoners"

"Al-Quds Open University and the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners' Affairs yesterday [March 13, 2017] celebrated the graduation of prisoners Majdi Hussein Yusuf Al-Rimawi (i.e., terrorist, participated in murder of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze'evi) and Abd Al-Karim Al-Dayem Fayyad 'Khader' (PMW could not verify the nature of his crimes -Ed.), who are among the first students to graduate the university's program that is meant to provide an education to the prisoners.

The ceremony was held at the university's presidential building in Ramallah, in the presence of the prisoners' families and Director of Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake...

Karake said: 'Today we have shattered the life sentence and the prison time, as this is not just an academic certificate but a certificate of hope and a future. This is a part of our philosophy and our efforts to empower our prisoner sons, particularly in the shadow of the ongoing attempts of [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's government to fill their lives with ignorance and boredom.'

He continued: 'Through the studies, the prisons have turned into universities in which there are creativity, science, studies, and lectures.' ...

Prisoner Al-Rimawi is serving a life sentence, while prisoner Fayyad is serving an 18-year sentence. The two of them have been in the occupation's prisons since 2002."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 14, 2017]

Majdi Al-Rimawi- Palestinian terrorist who is serving a life sentence plus 80 years for his participation in the planning and carrying out of the murder of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze'evi in 2001.

Headline: "Al-Quds Open University breaks through the fences and provides education to the prisoners behind bars"

"Al-Quds Open University recently opened a prisoners' study program within the [Israeli] prisons, and the number of prisoners who joined it has reached 484 prisoners within three months. Likewise, the forecast is that this number will rise to 600 prisoners by the end of the current year [2017], with another prison joining the program...

Prisoner Maslama Thabet (i.e., terrorist, participated in murder of 2), head of the Al-Quds Open University study program committee in the Rimon Prison, said: 'Al-Quds Open University's prisoners' study program has created an academic awakening within the prison and has proven to the Palestinian prisoners that they, like the rest of the members of the Palestinian people, can turn their tragedy into a reality full of hope and success.' ...

Al-Quds Open University President Professor Younes Amr said to The [Al-Quds Open] University Message (i.e., the university paper) that Al-Quds Open University did not hesitate to sign the memorandum of understanding with the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs and the [PA] Ministry of Education and Higher Education, through which the university created a special study program for the prisoners in the prisons according to academic conditions that ensure the transparency of the study process and its results.

Amr said: 'In accordance with this memorandum, which was signed in 2014, the university created three study programs in the Ktzi'ot, Rimon, and Gilboa Prisons, in which 484 students are studying in three main departments: Arabic Language, Islamic Education, and Social Work.' ...

It should be noted that approximately 260 students are currently studying as part of the program at the Ktzi'ot Prison, 163 at the Rimon Prison, and 61 at the Gilboa Prison. This is while the university is currently examining a file that was submitted on behalf of the Eshel Prison, and if it is agreed on, the number of students will reach approximately 600 at the end of the current year...

Director-General of the study program in the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Muhammad Al-Batta... noted that this program, which the commission is carrying out in partnership with Al-Quds Open University, is not dependent on the whims of the Israeli Prison Service and its steps, but rather is being carried out in direct contact with the academic supervisory committees within the prisons through an lawyer on behalf of the Prisoners' Club (i.e., organization funded by the PA). He emphasized that the program is meriting great confidence from the commission and is characterized by precision and transparency. He also emphasized that the supervisory committees within the prisons, the Commission of Prisoners' Affairs, and Al-Quds Open University are working diligently to provide all of the means for the program's success, as it is an extraordinary program that polishes the knowledge of the prisoners and their culture and trains them for professional life.

Regarding the role of the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs in the program, Al-Batta said: 'Our role is central, as we constitute a connecting link between the university and the prisoners, because the central guarantee for the success of this program is the coordination with the supervisory committees.' He explained that the study course materials are being brought in and the grades are being brought out [to be recorded at the university] with the aid of the lawyers. He added regarding this: 'This program is being carried out far from the Israeli Prison Service, for it has no connection with it as the books are being brought in by the lawyers, and this is also how the grades are being transferred.'

Al-Batta noted that the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs is the one funding this program through the payment of tuition. He also thanked the Al-Quds Open University administration for providing special discounts for the prisoners. On everything regarding the future plans for developing the program, Al-Batta said: 'We hope that the conditions in all of the prisons will allow this, so that we will be able to open similar programs in them.' ...

Dean of Student Affairs Professor Muhammad Shahin... noted that there are conditions for implementing this program that are dependent on the nature of the prison in which it is possible to carry out the program, and particularly on all that is related to the nature of the arrest.

Included among these important conditions are the ability to bring the study course materials into the prison and the presence of at least five prisoners with a master's or doctoral degree who will serve as the program's supervisory committee within the prison. This committee is the one that is responsible before the university, the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs, and the [PA] Ministry of Education and Higher Education for all of the processes, the activities, and the supervision of the study process with all of its components, including examinations, transferring the grades to the university, and signing the grade lists...

Regarding the obstacles that stand in the program's way, Professor Shahin said: 'Because this program is being carried out within the prisons, there are lots of obstacles, and all of them relate to the prison administrations and the fact that they are not cooperating with the program, in contrast to the Hebrew (sic., Israeli) Open University program, with which they are cooperating with full ease.'

He continued: 'This program is being carried out through direct contact between the university and the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners' Affairs and the academic supervisory committees in the prisons, and we have no connection with the [Israeli] prison administrations. If the program was carried out with greater facilitation by the prison administrations, it would strengthen it.' ...

He also noted that the transfer of prisoners [from one prison to another] constitutes a serious problem, particularly when a prisoner transfers from a prison in which there is a program like this to one where there is none. In this case, the studies are frozen until it is possible for him to transfer to a prison that provides this program."

[The Al-Quds Open University Message, December 2016]

Maslama Thabet - Palestinian terrorist who participated in the kidnapping and murder of Etgar Zeituni and Motti Dayan in Tulkarem on Jan. 23, 2001, as well as additional terrorist activities. Thabet is serving a 25 year sentence.

"Director of the education department in the [PLO] Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners' Affairs Sayyaf Abu Saif yesterday [Feb. 29, 2016] announced the opening of registration for Al-Quds Open University, which will take place March 1 - 31, 2016. Abu Saif demanded that relatives of the prisoners in the Gilboa prison begin their children's registration, which will take place under the following conditions: A prisoner who is under arrest (i.e., who has not yet received a sentence) cannot register to this program, the prisoner must have a high school diploma recognized by the [PA] Ministry of Education and Higher education in Ramallah, with an average of 85 or higher, a prisoner whose [prison] sentence is more than three years is allowed to register for the program, except for students for the Al-Quds Open University who can join regardless of the length of their [prison] sentence... The only specializations that can be registered for are social work, the Arab language, Islamic education, and social sciences."

[Al-Quds, March 1, 2016]

\n
\n

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The PA sees all the terrorists, irrespective of their terror group affiliation, as having “carried out the duty of resistance” as “ordered” by the PA

Irrespective of their terror group affiliation, the terrorists, also see themselves as “soldiers” of the PA

Spokesman of PA Security Forces demonizes Israel, claims Israel deliberately spreads weapons among Palestinians to fuel internal disputes and “get rid of confrontations that are part of the popular uprising against this occupation”

Palestinian scouts in Lebanon indoctrinated to seek destruction of Israel and be “a second army to liberate Palestine” “from the River to the Sea”

Scouts’ oath: “We will sacrifice our blood to reclaim you [Palestine]”

Palestinian Red Crescent representative expressed organization’s support for recent war against Israel - “revolution and intifada”

Hezbollah official spoke at scouts’ event and huge poster of Imad Mughniyeh – a senior Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist - adorned the ceremony

PA PM Shtayyeh endorses PA curriculum that implies to kids that violence and terror against civilians are legitimate means

PA PM Shtayyeh justifies teaching kids that there is no State of Israel but only “Palestine”

3 convicted murderers taught university courses in prison under the auspices of UNESCO

BA and MA degrees entirely free of charge for imprisoned terrorists – the PA pays!

Imprisoned planner of murder of 5 teaches MA program in “Israel Studies” to fellow inmates

Father preferred terrorist son stay in prison to complete MA supervised by terrorist who planned murder of 5

At least 4 Palestinian universities offer degree programs to imprisoned terrorists

Parents see prison as a career path for their terrorist sons – all the way to a PhD

The Dalal Mughrabi Summer Camp - named after murderer of 37

The Omar Abu Laila Summer Camp - named after murderer of 2

Hamas promises Israel and its people: "slaughter, extermination, and annihilation"

\nHamas messages during rocket attacks on Israel:

To Palestinians:

"Set out on the path of Jihad and resistance"

"We'll fight with the rifle, the Molotov [cocktail]... O Martyrdom-seeker, tighten your [suicide] belt"

To Israelis:

"You will be crushed... there are men who passionately love Martyrdom-death"

"I will dig your grave with my hands... I go down with the Quran and the knife to die as a Martyr while fighting"

Hamas messages to Israelis after the rocket attacks:

"We have come to tell the Zionist enemy... leave us, for the day of your slaughter, extermination, and annihilation is near"