Updates

This week has seen a shocking rise in Palestinian violence and terrorism, with countless incidents of stoning, stabbing and attacks across Israel. The civilian aggression is inextricably linked to the incitement from their leadership. Press statements, online posts, published cartoons, videos – the violence is being encouraged through various mediums, and the perpetrators are being publically celebrated as heroes.

Below is a list of examples:

This week, President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, came out with the following statements to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

“I support a popular, nonviolent struggle and oppose all violence and use of weapons. I’ve made clear a number of times that I don’t want to return to the cycle of violence,”…
“We do not seek violence and have not sought to escalate it, but the aggression against the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the worshippers in the mosque have led to this, and we are constantly trying to make sure it doesn’t intensify….
“We will not use violence or force. We believe in peace and in a peaceful popular struggle, and that is our right. We will continue in this way as long as there is aggression.”

However, the President’s sentiments reek of hypocrisy when heard in the context of his public address just a few short weeks ago:

“We bless you, we bless the Murabitin (i.e., those carrying out Ribat, religious conflict/war to protect land claimed to be Islamic), we bless every drop of blood that has been spilled for Jerusalem, which is clean and pure blood, blood spilled for Allah, Allah willing. Every Martyr (Shahid) will reach Paradise, and everyone wounded will be rewarded by Allah. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is ours, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is ours, and they have no right to defile them with their filthy feet. We will not allow them to, and we will do everything in our power to protect Jerusalem”.

Though Abbas now says he “believe(s) in peace”, he refuses to condemn the recent Palestinian acts of terror, instead blaming Israel, referring to the defensive shooting of terrorists as “the killing of two young men in occupied Jerusalem and the series of incursions into cities and villages in the West Bank”, inciting Palestinians to seek revenge for the “cold-blooded execution” of the two assailants.

These incitements have been echoed by representatives from Fatah, the Palestinian Liberation Office (PLO), and the PA:

“The settlers’ presence is illegal, and therefore every measure taken against them is legitimate and legal,” – Fatah Central Committee Member Jamal Muhaisen, Oct. 7, 2015

“There is no need to return to the argument and dispute about who carried out the operation… There is no need to announce it and boast of having done it. One fulfills his national duty voluntarily, as best as one can.” – PLO Executive Committee member Mahmoud Ismail, Oct. 6, 2015

“Saluting the masses of Palestinians who are confronting the occupation,” the statement said, before calling on Palestinians to “unite for an act of national defence” – statement from the PLO

“I am proud of the male Ribat fighters and the female Ribat fighters, our sisters, who using blood, arrests, attacks, and beating, succeeded in expelling them [Israelis] with their bodies, their firm stand and their Ribat. Truly, all my respect and appreciation to them.” – Ahmed Al-Ruweidi, PA Advisor on Jerusalem affairs

“Fatah – Beit Furik branch said the killing of the two settlers was a “natural response” to the crimes of the Occupation and settlers’ violence. Fatah holds Israel responsible for any escalation by its security forces and by extremists among the settlers; all get their green light from Netanyahu’s government.” – Ma’an News Agency, Oct. 2, 2015

These statements have been reinforced by posters, flyers, and cartoons, depicting the terrorists as martyrs and romanticising the murder of Jews, as well as the destruction of Israel.

This is an Official Fatah flyer, which reads: “The Fatah movement in Jerusalem announces the death of its brave shaheed, the martyr of Jerusalem, Fadi Alloun.” At the top of the flyer, the Fatah symbol is flanked by pictures of Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas. Fadi Alloun carried out the stabbing attack in Jerusalem on 4 October 2015, wounding a 15-year-old Jewish youth, and was shot to death by Israeli police.

Examples of hate cartoons recently published on social media by Fatah.

A particularly horrific caricature first published during the wave of terrorist attacks a year ago and republished in the Palestinian social media following the recent attacks.

Caricature showing Jews walking on a knife blade towards a grave shaped like “Greater Palestine” [claiming the entire territory of the State of Israel]. The headstone reads: “Cemetery of the invaders.

Caricature by the Palestinian caricaturist Omayya Joha, who works for Al-Quds newspaper. Joha is the widow of Hamas terrorist Rami Sa’ad.

A flyer praising the terrorists who murdered Rabbi Eitam Henkin and his wife Naama in front of their 4 children on 1 October 2015. Following Israel’s announcement that the Henkins’ murderers had been captured, Hamas officially claimed responsibility for the attack and published a flyer praising the act.

A post appearing in the Palestinian social media, including those associated with Hamas, says: “If you won’t be there for Jerusalem, who will?” It also shows the last posts published by terrorists prior to going out on their murderous journey.

This video was released by Hamas, used for the promotion of stabbing Jews, intended to inspire Palestinian civilians to be violent and homicidal in the name of their people and their God.

The terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) posted a video to YouTube late Sunday that showed an Islamic Jihad fighter readying himself to carry out a suicide attack on a bus while disguised as a member of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The video shows clips of what appears to be the production of a suicide device, which the Times of Israel notes was commonplace during the Second Intifada.

While a large proportion of this propaganda has been released by Hamas and other extremist organisations, the incitement for violence is heard loud and clear from the supposed ‘moderate’ Palestinian Authority. The incitements have led to the murder of Israeli civilians, as well as causing riots and clashes resulting in Palestinian fatalities. It is up to the Palestinian Authority to condemn the violence, deescalate the tensions and resume negotiations towards a peaceful outcome.

Ari Wenig