PA Political Conclusions to the Israeli Withdrawal From the Gaza Strip
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, September 1, 2005

During the last few weeks, Israel has forcibly removed more than 9,000 Israelis from 25 towns and villages in Northern Samaria and the Gaza Strip. From the Palestinian perspective, most significant is that this unilateral withdrawal by Israel was brought on by the "victory" in the "resistance" - the Palestinian Authority euphemism for terror.

Accordingly, the Palestinians have rarely used the Arabic equivalent of Ariel Sharon's term, "disengagement," but rather, refer to Israel's actions with various other words: insikhab, which means either "withdrawal" or "retreat;" tard, meaning "expulsion;" or dakhr and indikhar, which mean both "expulsion" and "defeat."

These expressions are used throughout Palestinian society. Not only are there no meaningful differences among the PA, Hamas and Islamic Jihad terminology but the groups seem to be competing to take credit for the terror that caused Israel to retreat.

The political and social conclusions the PA and terrorist groups have drawn from the unilateral withdrawal will have important ramifications for the region's future. Some of these conclusions, which have been stressed repeatedly in the months leading up to and during the evacuation, are:

1. Terror ("resistance") has proven itself the most effective tool to force political concessions from Israel

2. Terror can work either independently or as part of a cycle with diplomacy: "The gun sows and diplomacy reaps"

3. Palestinians see Israel retreating to the 1949 Armistice lines as the complete and unconditional acceptance of PA demands, and as an historical precedent that will be repeated in all other areas of dispute: the West Bank, Jerusalem and refugees

4. Terror will be renewed if Israel does not leave the West Bank and Jerusalem and accept PA demands on refugees. This is a uniform message across the political spectrum

The following are representative examples from among these repeated political messages and threats by PA political leaders and terrorist leaders:

1. Terror ("resistance") has proven itself the most effective tool to force political concessions from Israel

Palestinian Authority

"Secretary of Fatah in the Jenin district, Ata Abu Irmilah ... is of the opinion that the departure of the occupier is a day of great victory, which was achieved by the Palestinian resistance and, in its lead, Fatah and Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 13, 2005]

"This is a day for the people, so it can celebrate in honor of the sacrifice of the shahids [martyrs for Allah]. The Israeli withdrawal was not an act of charity but is the fruit of the strong stance of our people over the years..."
[Muhammad Dahlan, PA Minister for Civil Affairs, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 13, 2005]

"Israel cannot withstand the brave Palestinian resistance... This is the beginning of the liberation, which was achieved by all factions of the brave Palestinian resistance."
[Farouk Al-Qadoumi, Secretary of Fatah, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 22, 2005]

Islamic Jihad

"Dr. Muhammad Al-Hindi, a senior figure in Islamic Jihad, stressed ... that his movement sees in the retreat from Gaza a victory for the resistance, [and] a victory for the men of the resistance"
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 13, 2005]

Hamas

"To the brothers, the jihad fighters of Al-Qassam Brigades [the terrorist wing of Hamas], May Allah bless your jihad, your blood, you sweat, your guardianship, and your suffering. Without this jihad and steadfastness, Gaza wouldn't have been liberated.

"To the brothers in the [other] resistance organizations, I congratulate you on this victory, and on the liberation of the Gaza Strip from the foulness of Zionists. I bear witness that this victory was made with your resistance [i.e. terror] and partnership with us, with our cooperation and coordination together and joint operations..."
[Muhammad Daif, Gaza Commander of Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas website, August 27, 2005]

2. Terror works either independently or as part of a cycle with diplomacy: "The gun sows and diplomacy reaps"

Palestinian Authority

"[Hani Al-Hasan, Member of Fatah Central Committee, said] 'The armed struggle is sowing and the political struggle is reaping and he who does not sow does not harvest. Yet,' he emphasized, 'the harvest should take place in its [right] time... Everything in its [right] time. The current stage is the stage of harvest. In this stage diplomacy comes before the gun and in the time of the sowing the gun comes before diplomacy...'"
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 22, 2005]

"Commander of the National Security Forces in the Northern District, Colonel Sha'aban Abu Asr ... explained that he called this operation [the deployment of PA forces] by the name 'The Harvest' - it is the stage of gathering the fruits [of victory]. He ... prayed that Allah will have us succeed in our ways so we will go toward the big harvest..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 22, 2005]

Hamas

"To our brothers in the Palestinian Authority, The liberation of Gaza is an important lesson to all of us. A part of our homeland has been liberated with the bounty of Allah first, and the strikes of the sincere jihad fighters from the whole of the brave Palestinian people. Let us comprehend this lesson, and keep the weapons of the resistance raised, along side the political work."
[Muhammad Daif, Commander of Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas website, August 27, 2005]

3. Palestinians see Israel retreating to the 1949 Armistice lines as the complete, unconditional acceptance of the PA demands, and as an historical precedent that wil be repeated in all other areas of dispute: the West Bank, Jerusalem and refugees

Palestinian Authority

"President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized that today our nation celebrates the freeing of Gaza and the north of the [West] Bank and tomorrow will celebrate the freeing of Jerusalem..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 13, 2005]

"Member of Legislative Council Abd Al-Fattah Hama'il ... made a speech on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas. He discussed the withdrawal from Gaza and said that it was a great achievement and a fruit of our struggle and that Gaza was the beginning, because a journey of one thousand miles begins with one step. Abu Al-Sukkar made a speech on behalf of the prisoners. He urged ... everyone to make [efforts] for their liberation and said that jihad was a commandment that everyone is obliged to fulfill by himself..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 15, 2005]

"The fate of the Israeli settlements, including the settlement in East Jerusalem, will match the fate of the settlements in the Gaza Strip."
[Dr. Sa'eb Erekat, Chief Palestinian negotiator, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 22, 2005]

"I am optimistic, for I never dreamt that one settlement would be evacuated in the time of Sharon. The evacuation of settlements by Sharon is an historical precedent..."
[Muhammad Dahlan, PA Minister for Civil Affairs, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 15, 2005]

"The coordinator of the Mass Committee for Aid and Support in the east Khan Yunis area, which belongs to Fatah, Ayman Al-Raqb ... emphasized that the efforts of Fatah should be united in order to turn the day of the Gaza Strip and north West Bank evacuation into a Palestinian wedding, which reflects the nobility of our Palestinian people, who sacrificed shahids, wounded and prisoners so that it would attend this historic day. He expressed his hope that this wedding would expand to rest of the cities and villages of Palestine in the near future and that our masses would celebrate at the gates of Jerusalem..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 13, 2005]

Hamas

"To our brethren in Jerusalem and the West Bank, I talk to you today certain that Gaza is the beginning of the road ... and all our towns, villages and camps in the West Bank are an omen that the next stage, with Allah's support, will be defeating the occupation from your lands."
[Muhammad Daif, Hamas website, August 27, 2005

Islamic Jihad

"Islamic Jihad ... emphasized that the withdrawal from Gaza is the first cycle of the defeat of the occupation, [and] that after it would come [more] cycles until the restitution of all Palestinian lands."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 13, 2005]

4. Terror will be renewed if Israel does not leave the West Bank and Jerusalem and accept PA demands on refugees

"Our opinion is that this withdrawal - its benefit is in reaching the [West] Bank and Jerusalem, in the completion of our sovereignty on our land; terminals, air space and water [sources] and in that our daily life, will continue fully and continuously between us and the [West] Bank, otherwise the elements of explosion might be the strongest and the most tragic in the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 13, 20055]

"Jenin, which gave tens of shahids that took part in the battle, raised the weapons in the face of aggression and [thus] continued on their way towards the glory while holding their weapons - in front of these, we emphasize, that the process of liberation is continuing until the passing of the occupation..."
[PA Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 9, 2005]

"Let us retain the Gaza Strip as a base similar to North Vietnam and prepare for the nearing, full liberation of the [West] Bank."
[Farouk Al-Qadoumi, Secretary of Fatach, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 22, 2005]

PA Ministry of Culture Glorifies Murderer of 21
PA honors female terrorists, past and future
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, August 22, 2005

The Palestinian Authority (PA) and its newspapers continue to honor past and future female suicide terrorists.

Past Terrorist: Hanadi Jaradat

The PA's Ministry of Culture released its "Book of the Month" today, a poetry collection honoring suicide terrorist Hanadi Jaradat, who murdered 21 Israelis. It was distributed as a special supplement in the daily Al-Ayyam.

Entitled What Did Hanadi Say? the collection includes a poem glorifying Jaradat's act of suicide terror, calling it "the highest goal":

"O Hanadi! Shake the earth under the feet of the enemies! Blow it up! Hanadi said: "It is the wedding of Hanadi the day when death as a Martyr for Allah, becomes the highest goal."

The poem is dedicated to Jaradat (pictured), called "the Rose of Palestine," who murdered 21 Jews and Arabs in a suicide bombing in a Haifa restaurant in October 2003.

The poem criticizes the Arab nation for ignoring Jihad:

"Where is the [Arab] nation..? The armies hid, nothing left in the field ... not the sound of Jihad, all of them, at the moment of decision, surrender, obey the enemies..."

She complains:

"O Hanadi..! The flag of the nation is not flying in the fields of Jihad."

The poem ends as Hanadi takes the initiative:

"O Hanadi! Shake the earth under the feet of the enemies! Blow it up! It is the wedding of Hanadi the day when death as a Martyr for Allah, becomes the highest goal, that liberates my land."
[Al-Ayyam, August 22, 2005]

This glorification of a mass murderer was not a private enterprise, but was published by the PA Ministry of Culture.

Future terrorists: New Hamas Woman Terror Brigade

In another example of honoring female terrorists, the PA's official daily, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, yesterday trumpeted the establishment by Hamas of a brigade of aspiring female terrorists.

This picture of women training with American-made automatic rifles was published, along with text describing the various roles for which the women are in training.

Following is more text of the poem 'What Did Hanadi Say?' and the Al-Hayat Al-Jadida article on Hamas' new recruits.

"What did Hanadi say?"

[Dedication:]

"To the Rose of Palestine, the Iris of [Mount] Carmel, the Martyr for Allah Hanadi Jaradat"

What did Hanadi say
When she was told [her brother] Fadi died as a Matryr for Allah..?
Where is the [Arab] nation..?
The armies hid
Nothing left in the field
Save the hostile sound
Not Palestine that was once theirs
Not the sound of Jihad
All of them, at the moment of decision
Surrender, obey the enemies…
O Hanadi! O Hanadi!
Revenge calls!
She shouted: 'O the light of my eyes!
O my beloved, I long for Haifa'
O Hanadi! O Hanadi..!
The flag of the nation is not flying in the fields of Jihad
And the thieving enemy
Continues in his stubbornness...
O Hanadi! O Hanadi!
Shake the earth under the feet of the enemies!
Blow it up!
Hanadi said: ... 'It is my wedding
It is the wedding of Hanadi
The day when death as a Martyr for Allah becomes the highest goal
That liberates my land
["What Did Hanadi Say," PA Ministry of Culture Publication of the Month Supplement, Al-Ayyam, August 22, 2005]

"Armed women troops in Al-Qassam brigades"

"Sources in Hamas revealed the existence of women military troops in the Izzadin Al-Qassam brigades [the armed wing of Hamas]. This step came after Al-Quds Brigades, the militant wing of the Islamic Jihad, released eight months ago a video in which tens of women fighters and martyrdom-seekers, dressed in a "loose" army uniform, were practicing [using] all sorts of sophisticated weapons and missile launchers.

"The Palestinian Media Center reporter who met these troops said that he underwent a full search and went through extreme security measures before reaching the women's training facility.

"According to sources in Al-Qassam brigades, this unit, which consists of several Palestinian women civilians, is trained in using all sorts of weapons that can be found inside the Gaza Strip, for example Al-Qassam rockets...

"These women were training in groups. One group was trained to prepare and plant explosives, another was trained using missile launchers, another was trained using mortars, and another was practicing an assault maneuver.

"A member of this unit said these women train for joining the efforts of jihad and liberation.

"This woman, who was a spokeswoman for the unit, was wearing an army uniform, and a veil covered her face, and she was carrying a machine gun on her shoulder, and a gun on her hip.

"It is worth mentioning that the phenomenon of women militant troops is unique among the Islamic movements. The militant role of women was first revealed by the self-sacrificial actions carried out by Hiba Al-Daraghma and Hanadi Jaradat of Al-Quds Brigades [of the Islamic Jihad], and Reem Riyashi of Al-Qassam Brigades [of Hamas]."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 21, 2005]

Palestinians: Gaza withdrawal is victory for Islam
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, August 18, 2005

Introduction

Israel's leaving the Gaza Strip is being presented by the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas as a victory for Islam.

Palestinian Authority religious leaders and Hamas have for years been presenting their conflict with Israel as part of an unbroken religious war, which Allah is waging against Jews - a conflict whose climax will be the extermination of the world's Jews. (Palestinian Media Watch has reported on this ideology. See documentation below.)

Within this context, Israel's leaving its towns in Gaza now, is being presented as a victory of Islam in this war. Palestinian Authority Television hosts and participants alike are calling the Israeli moves from its towns as a 'great victory for Allah'.

The Hamas website publicized numerous posters that declare the same religious victory theme. The Hamas poster below, showing a face of Hamas founder Ahmad Yassin laughing, superimposed over a somber religious Jew, presents the Sharon evacuation plan as a victory of the Koran over the Talmud. The words on the poster: "Our Koran proves that we were right and your Talmud proves that you were wrong..."

Another Hamas poster shows a rifle and the Koran with the words, "With those two together the victory has been achieved."

One example from the Palestinian Authority's official daily:

"...The manager of the office of the Ministry of the Waqf in northern Gaza, Farid Al-Nayard, said, '...last Friday’s sermon was under the title ‘On that day the Believers will be glad with the victory of Allah.''"
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 13, 2005]

In June 2004, Palestinian Authority religious leader Ibrahim Mudayris already preached the religious significance he saw in Sharon's plan, connecting it to an event described in the Koran, specifically focusing on Israel's plan to destroy the towns before leaving.

The Koranic event and the present expulsion, according to this senior PA imam, have numerous parallels:

1. Attacks by Muslims against Jews
2. Jews become fearful
3. Jews destroy their own homes
4. Jews flee their towns

Mudayris' sermon of June 4, 2004

"If [today] you trust in Allah, like Muhammad's companions, by Allah, it will not be impossible for Allah to expel the Jews...

"[Allah] fought against them [as is written in the Koran] through their weak hearts because they are cowards. When they saw someone killed, terror entered their hearts and they started destroying their own homes.

"And now the media reports that they will leave the settlements. Indeed, they will leave Gaza. They will leave submissive, by Allah's will. They will leave defeated, like it or not, in the face of this great victory."
[Ibrahim Mudayris, PA TV, June 4, 2004]

The following is the text Mudayris was referring to in the Koran:

"He [Allah] is the one who has caused those of the People of the Book [i.e. Jews] who disbelieved to leave their homes unto the first expulsion. You did not think that they would leave, whereas they [the Jews] were certain that their fortresses would defend them against Allah. But Allah reached them from a place where they did not expect, and cast terror in their hearts so that they destroyed their homes with their own hands and the hands of the believers...!"
[Surat Al-Hashar]

From the Archives

Previously reported examples of numerous Palestinian Authority religious and academic leaders presenting the war against Israel as a religious war that will end with the extermination of the Jews.

1. Muhammad Abd Al-Hadi La'afi, responsible for Religious Teaching and Instruction in the Office of the Wakf:

"The battle with the Jews will surely come...

"The Prophet spoke about in more than one hadith, and the Resurrection will not come without the victory of the believers [the Muslims] over the descendants of the monkeys and pigs and with their annihilation."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 18, 2001]

2. Ibrahim Mudayris, Head of the Association for Memorizing the Koran

"The Prophet said: the Resurrection will not take place until the Muslims fight the Jews, and the Muslims kill them. The Muslims will kill the Jews, rejoice [in it], rejoice in Allah’s victory. The Muslims will kill the Jews, and he will hide...

"The Prophet said, 'The Jews will hide behind the rock and tree, and the rock and tree will say, 'O servant of Allah, O Muslim this is a Jew behind me, come and kill him!'"
[PA TV, September 10, 2004 - view this clip here]

"The Jews will not live under our rule agreeably permanently, since they have been treacherous in nature throughout history. A day will come when all shall rest from the Jews...

"Listen to your Beloved [Muhammad], who tells you about the direst end awaiting the Jews. The tree and the stone want the Muslim to bring every Jew to his end. You all know the Hadith."
[PA TV, May 13, 2005 - view this clip here]

3. Muhammad Ibrahim Madi

"All the weapons must be aimed at the Jews, Allah’s enemies, the cursed nation in the Koran, whom Allah describes as monkeys and pigs, worshippers of the calf and idol worshippers...

"Nothing will deter them except the color of blood in their filthy people ... unless we blow ourselves up, willingly and as our duty, in their midst...

"We will fight against them and rule over them until the Jew will hide behind the tree and rock and the tree and rock will say: 'Muslim! Servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, kill him."
[PA TV, August 3, 2001]

4. Dr. Ahmad Abu Halabiya, Sharia [Islamic Law] Rulings Council and Rector of Advanced Studies, Islamic University

"We, the Palestinian nation, our fate from Allah is to be the vanguard of the war against the Jews until Resurrection, as the prophet Muhammad said, 'Resurrection will not arrive until you will fight the Jews and kill them.' We the Palestinians are the vanguard in this issue and in this campaign whether or not we want this."
[PA TV, July 28, 2000]

5 . Dr. Hassan Khater

"Muhammad said in his Hadith, 'The Hour [of Resurrection] will not arrive until you fight the Jews and the rock and the tree will say: O Muslim, servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him!'

"...Allah meant our land and our people and meant our trees and our stones."
[PA TV, December 27, 2004]

PA Continues Support of Terror
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, July 26, 2005

While the world continues to praise the Palestinian Authority for its "fight" against terror, in Arabic the PA continues its unabated legitimization and glorification of terror targeting Israelis.

Terrorists from three Palestinian terror organizations murdered an Israel couple on Saturday night, July 23. The murdered couple were parents of teenage children. PA condemnations in English were careful to avoid criticizing the "action" as murder or terror, but rather censured it as "damaging to the PA." In Arabic however, the PA’s official daily effectively endorsed the murders, as it has done consistently under the leadership of Mahmoud Abbas, legitimizing and glorifying the terror and granting the most elevated status to the murderers – the status of Shahid – Martyr for Allah.

The daily also published a heroic picture of the "Shahids," as pictured above.

The following are excerpts from the article legitimizing the terror and granting heroic Shahid status to the terrorists, that appeared in Abbas’ official daily on the day after the killings:

"The two shahids are Tariq Salim Yassin (22) ... of Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and the Shahid Yekhya Al-Ris Khamad Abu Taha (21), from Rafah.

"Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which belongs to the Fatah movement, the Al-Quds Companies, the military branch of the Islamic Jihad movement, and Al-Nasir Salah Al-Din Regiments, the military branch of the Popular Resistance Committees, [all] claimed joint responsibility for the attack...

"An Islamic Jihad movement senior [official], Khalid Al-Batash, emphasized that the operation in Kisufim ... came in retaliation to the assassination crimes that were committed by the Occupation...

"He said that the operation is not considered a violation of the 'Calm' [i.e. cease fire] and that the Resistance will retaliate to the violations of the Occupation whenever it has an opportunity...

"He also said, 'The Calm is not holy. The government of Tel Aviv is not committed to the Cairo Agreement, but continues with the actions of land clearance and killing, and with building the fence... We cannot stare at the shedding of Palestinian blood [and do nothing]...'

"He added, '...If anyone has an interest in the Calm, he has to press Tel Aviv to respect it [the Calm]...'

"Fatah confirmed in an announcement its consistent position that it is important and necessary ... that the retaliation to the violations of the Calm agreement on the side of the Occupation will be within the national consensus ... 'for achieving our goals and our legitimate national rights for freedom, return [of refugees], full national independence and the establishment of our fully sovereign, independent state with Jerusalem as its capital...'

"The factions of the resistance emphasized that the execution of the operation does not mean, in any way, the repudiation of the Hudna [cease fire] ... but comes within the framework of natural retaliation to the crimes of Israel..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 25, 2005]

Aside from ascribing to dead terrorists the highest Islamic honor, the article was careful to use other terms that reinforce the temporary nature of the current lull in attacks against Israel.

The unofficial cease fire that most Palestinian terror groups declared in February (and have subsequently broken frequently) is labelled a 'Calm,' indicating a limited period of rest, after which terror will resume.

Also note that the Palestinian leadership and press define their terrorism as 'Resistance,' and therefore legitimate.

PA Course Honors Terrorist Wafa Idris:
PA continues to idolize first woman suicide terrorist
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, July 10, 2005

Creating heroes and role models plays an important socialization function in every society. Palestinian Media Watch has documented the Palestinian Authority (PA) policy of turning terrorist-murderers into heroes and role models for adults and children.

A particularly important Palestinian Authority heroine is Wafa Idris, who in January 2002 became the first Palestinian woman suicide terrorist. Although the PA issued condemnations in English at the time of the bombing, it has since turned Idris into a valued heroine in Palestinian society. The Union of Palestinian Women presented Idris' murderous act as a role model for Palestinian feminism, a parade for young girls was held in her honor, summer camps for children, university courses, and Fatah programs have been named for her, and a concert honoring Idris has been broadcast numerous times on PA TV.

This week yet another PA program was named in her honor, the "Shahida (Martyr for Allah) Wafa Idris course for Fatah women cadres." The following is a partial listing of these events starting with the most recent example:

"The Public Action Commission in the Political and National Guidance Section of the General Security Forces held a graduation ceremony for the 'Shahida Wafa Idris course', for training Fatah women cadres, organized by the Commission in cooperation with the General Union of Women and the Public Relations Department in the Jenin District.

"The graduation ceremony for the course of 46 women, was organized in the District's hall, in the presence of Abd Al-Razeq Abu Al-Hayjaa, the Deputy Governor, Mahdi al-Ahmad, the Director General of the Ministry of the Interior in the district, Ata Abu Armila, Secretary of the Fatah movement in the area and Hasan al-Aaraj, from the Administration of the Interior...

"The Ceremony ended with the distribution of diplomas to the female graduates, and diplomas and awards of appreciation to the mothers of the shahids (Martyrs for Allah)." [Al Ayyam, July 4, 2005]

University courses

"The Shabiba student movement, 'the Shahida Wafa Idris cell' in the Al-Quds Open University, celebrated the completion of a course in democracy and human rights." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 11, 2002]

Summer camps

"Yesterday, activities ended in the camp named for the Shahida Wafa Idris, for girls in the city of Qalqiliya. The camp was founded by the Scout general administration in the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The camp was under the supervision of the Scouts in the Qalqiliya Administration and about 100 girls from the organizing committee of the city's Scouts participated. [At the closing ceremony, gratitude was expressed] to UNICEF for its support of the camps." [Al-Ayyam, July 18, 2003]

PMW note: After this PMW report was brought to the UN's attention, the UN ensured that summer camps it funded in 2004 were not named for terrorists.

Concerts

The following are lyrics sung in honor of Idris at a concert and aired on PA TV.

To view click here:

My sister Wafa, My sister Wafa
O the heartbeat of pride
O blossom who was on the Earth and is now in heaven
O blossom who was on the Earth and is now in heaven
My sister, Wafa
Allah Akbar! O Palestine of the Arabs
Allah Akbar, O Wafa!
But you chose Shahada
In death you have brought life to our will
But you chose Shahada
In death you have brought life to our will

[PATV, July 24, 2003 and others]

Marches

A march with young girls honoring Idris:

Text on Poster: "The Fatah Movement... eulogizes with great pride the heroic Shahida Wafa Idris." [Al-Ayyam, February 1, 2002]

Union for Palestinian Women: Terrorism as symbol of equality

"Raviha Diyav, of the Union for Palestinian Women, emphasized that the participation of Idris in the attack shows the determination of the Palestinian women to participate as full partners in the national struggle, alongside her brothers."
[Al-Ayyam, February 1, 2002]

Terrorist frameworks honor Idris

After Idris' attack the PA realized that women could slip past Israeli security more easily than men, and the PA's 'Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades' created a unit comprised of women terrorists just for this purpose.

"The purpose of this brigade is to carry out attacks on the Israeli home front. The troop has been named the brigade in honor of the Shahida Wafa Idris."
[Al-Quds, March 1, 2002]

See also the bulletin that Palestinian Media Watch released shortly after Wafa Idris blew herself up here.

PMW in the Jerusalem Post
January 29, 2004

Introduction

In the shadow of the horror of this morning's suicide terror in Jerusalem, PMW is distributing an op-ed article that gives insight into the mind of the suicide terrorist. The article was published today in The Jerusalem Post.

All TV quotations cited below in the article have been posted on the PMW web site and can be seen by clicking the link below

It's Aspiration, not Desperation
Understanding the Death Worship of the
Palestinian Suicide Bomber
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, January 29, 2004

"I always wanted to be the first woman who sacrifices her life for Allah. My joy will be complete when my body parts fly in all directions."

These are the words of female suicide terrorist Reem Reyashi, videotaped just before she killed four Israelis and herself two weeks ago in Gaza. What is surprising about this horrific statement is that she put a positive value on her dismemberment and death, distinct from her goal to kill others. She was driven by her aspiration to achieve what the Palestinians call "shahada," death for Allah. She had two distinct goals: To kill and to be killed. These independent objectives, both positive in her mind, were goals greater than her obligations and emotional ties to her two children. This aspiration to die, which contradicts the basic human instinct for survival, is at the core of the suicide terrorism fervor. Only when this death worship component is recognized as a basic tenet of Palestinian belief will it be possible to understand the challenges Israel and the world face from suicide terror.

Palestinian society actively promotes the religious belief that their deity craves their deaths. Note the words of a popular music video directed at children, broadcast hundreds of times on PA TV, which depicts the earth thirsting for the blood of children: "How sweet is the fragrance of the shahids, how sweet is the scent of the earth, its thirst quenched by the gush of blood, flowing from the youthful body."

This conviction that the deity thirsts for or craves human death as tribute and sacrifice has its roots in ancient beliefs.

The Bible cites ancient cultures of the Land of Israel: "Their sons and their daughters they sacrifice to their gods" [Deut: 12]. Even the Israelites were drawn to it: "And they built altars to give their sons and daughters to Molech which God did not command nor consider this abomination [Jeremiah: 32]." As recently as 500 years ago, South American tribes used to leave children to die on mountain tops as presents to their gods. The common denominator driving human sacrifice cults was the belief that the deity craved the death of innocents.

This is precisely the belief that the leaders of Palestinian society are inculcating in their people. Moreover, Palestinians have been taught on PA TV by their religious leaders that they are born for the very purpose of dying for Allah: "The believer was created to know his Lord and to uphold Islam to be a shahid, or intend to be a shahid. If the Muslim does not aspire shahada, he will die as in the Jahiliya [pre-Islam faith]. If we truthfully request it of Allah, He will grant us its rewards even if we die in bed."

This message is of paramount significance. The Muslim is born in order to die the right death, according to Palestinian Islam. Death need not be the termination of life to be prevented, but can be transformed into the ultimate achievement, on the condition it is for the deity. Those who do achieve this death are promised rewards by religious leaders on PA TV: "All his sins are forgiven from the first gush of blood; he is exempted from the torments of the grave (Judgment) ... he marries 72 Dark-Eyed [Virgins or Maidens of Paradise] ... on his head is placed a crown of honor, one stone of which is worth more than all there is in this world."

Even children are not spared the indoctrination that the deity wants their deaths. A telling example is the story of 14-year-old Faras Ouda, a boy elevated to heroism by the Palestinian leadership.

Yasser Arafat regularly singles out Ouda as a role model for children, addressing children on TV once as "peers, friends, brothers and sisters of Faras Ouda," another time telling them "This generation represented by your colleague, the hero Shahid Faras Ouda!" Yet another time he said, "We are saluting to the spirit of our hero Shahid Faras Ouda, Faras Ouda, Faras Ouda!"

What was Faras Ouda's great accomplishment that Arafat elevated him to archetypical role model? The boy's goal in life was to die for the deity, as reported in the PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida: "On the day of his death Faras Ouda left his home with a slingshot, after having made himself a wreath decorated with photos of himself and having written on it 'The Brave Shahid Faras Ouda.'

Faras Ouda wanted to die for the deity, achieved it, and thus became Arafat's hero.

Palestinian mothers have been taught to aspire to death for Allah for their children. A mother explained recently on PA TV why she expressed joy upon hearing of her son's death: "A mother makes sounds of joy because she wants him to reach shahada. He became a shahid for Allah Almighty. I wanted the best for him; this is the best for [my son] Shaadi."

PA ideology rejects the value of 'life' that other societies hold supreme. As expressed by a senior historian, professor Issam Sissalem, in a lecture on PA TV: "We are not afraid to die, and do not love life."

Like their adult role models, Palestinian children have learned to see dying for the deity as their goal in life. In a chilling talk show interview on PA TV, two 11-year-old girls explain cheerfully and eloquently what they and their young friends desire:

Walla: "Shahada is very, very beautiful. Everyone aspires to shahada. What could be better than going to paradise?"
Host: "What is better, peace and full rights for the Palestinian people or shahada?"
Walla: "Shahada."
Yussra: "Of course shahada is sweet. We don't want this world, we want the Afterlife. We benefit not from this life but from the Afterlife... Every Palestinian child aged, say 12, says "O Lord, I would like to become a shahid."

Public opinion polls indicate that Yussra and Walla represent an overwhelming majority of Palestinian children who embrace this belief. According to three different polls, 70 to 80 percent of Palestinian children aspire to shahada.

In the ancient world, there was widespread belief that the deity wanted humans to die as the ultimate form of worship. People gave their children to the deity of Molech and the Baal. This ancient belief has now returned to plague the world.

The world had assumed that the Palestinian suicide terrorist was facing a dilemma of having to choose between the "value" of killing Jews and the value of life. Clearly, this is false.

Killing Jews is one "value." Death for deity is itself a value, indeed, a value greater than life. Seeking shahada is not desperation but aspiration. As the mother explained her joy after her son's death: "I wanted the best for him."

PA Uses Murderer of Infant as Role Model for Youth
January 18, 2004

The PA continues to use sports events to present terrorists as role models for youth. This week the PA named a youth sport gathering after a former leader of the terrorist Al-Aksa Brigades who was responsible for numerous murders. The terrorist Marwan Zalum sent the sniper who killed the infant Shalhevet Pass, while she was held in her father's arms, and later sent a suicide bomber to Jerusalem in April 2002, killing six and injuring 85.

This week's youth gathering named for Zalum was under the auspices of Yasser Arafat and the Ministry of Youth and Sport. Speakers included the terrorist's widow and the Chairman of the PA Legislative Council, who praised the terrorist. A film was shown about the terrorist's life.

All this was within the framework of a sports event for young people.

The following is from the article in the PA daily Al-Quds:

"Under the auspices of President Yasser Arafat, the Administration of Youth and Sport and the Legislating Council, the conference [named] after the Shahid Marwan Zalum opened in the presence of the Chairman of the Legislative Council, Rafiq Al-Natshe, the Minister Sulayman Abu Snina, the wife of the Martyr, Governor of the Hebron District, Arif Al-Jabari, and Deputy Chairman of the Palestinian soccer union, George Ghattas.

"The first speaker was the wife of the Shahid, Commander Marwan Zalum. She said:

"'Marwan ... loved this land. His only wish was to be a soldier, citizen and commander to protect his country, his homeland, and nation.'

"A film was shown about the life of the Shahid Marwan Zalum the commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade... Later the chairman of the Legislative Council spoke and gave his blessing and appreciation to the wife of the Shahid Marwan Zalum..."
[Al-Quds, January 14, 2004]

New Palestinian Minister of Justice Incites to Murder Israelis and to Hate Americans
November 27, 2003

Nahidh Muneer Al-Ris, the new Palestinian Minister of Justice, has a long record of hateful incitement, including incitement to murder Israelis through suicide terrorism. He distorts Jewish history in order to deny Israel's right to exist, and de-legitimizes Israel's existence as a state with expressions like the "occupation" 50 years ago. In addition he has a history of hateful incitement towards the US and its political and Christian leaders. Bush and Rumsfeld, he calls "bloodthirsty beasts" and he repeatedly libels American Evangelical Christians, attributing to them deep hatred of Muslims. In addition, Al-Ris recently participated in a ceremony in a summer camp - named for a 17-year-old girl suicide bomber. PMW will continue to monitor the actions and behavior of the new Justice Minister, to determine to what degree his behavior as Justice Minister reflects his hate beliefs.

It is noteworthy that an individual with such outspoken hatred of the US has been appointed to such a senior PA position. While his hatred of the US certainly follows the official PA ideology, which even promoted murder of US soldiers in Iraq through its controlled media, senior PA officials are usually more discreet. As a rule, ministers do not express American hatred publicly, so as not to endanger US political and financial support. It is thus surprising that the new PM, Ahmad Qerei, chose such an outspoken terror supporter and America hater for a senior position in his cabinet. It may be that the PA has learned that in spite of US and Israeli verbal demands to stop incitement, US and Israeli policy has been to ignore incitement, in all policy decisions towards the PA.

The following are some of the recent opinions of PA Justice Minister, Al-Ris, in his own words:

On support of suicide terrorism
"The Palestinian Arab nation, and its vanguard the **Shahada-Seekers, are not terrorists in any way."
[**lit: Death for Allah-Seekers, PA term of honor for suicide terrorists. Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 16, 2003]

On Palestinian support for suicide terror
"Most [Palestinians] understand that the Shahada-Seekers and the uprising fighters preserve honor for everyone... The public is convinced that uprising fighters are the most just and the farthest from corruption. Only a minority believes that the fighters should be restrained, for fear of provoking the rage of Sharon..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 16, 2003]

On erasing Jewish history in Israel
Israelis have no history in the Land - because they are "Khazars, who are not connected to the land but to the words of the Torah".
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 16, 2003]

On the illegitimacy of Israel
"... during the occupation of Palestine 50 years ago..."
[Ed: Israel's creation as a state is stigmatized as if it is an "occupation". Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 4, 2003]

On US President Bush and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld
"[They] are human beings whose ambitions have turned them into bloodthirsty beasts."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, November 3, 2003]

On the US involvement in Iraq
"They are fighting a cruel war".
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, November 3, 2003]

On US Christian leadership
"Pat Robertson is one of the main figures of the most extremist Evangelistic Zionists."
Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 4, 2003]

"Publications in the US about the Second Coming of Jesus gained wide distribution and they describe a terrifying Armageddon ... total destruction. As for Jesus and his followers, God will raise them above the clouds ... While their pagan enemies (who fundamentalist Evangelist Zionist supporters interpret as Muslims) will drown in a lake of fire and brimstone... These Zionist supporters give a modern interpretation and interpret it [the fire and brimstone] as atomic bombs to be thrown on Muslims."
[Citing a book in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 4, 2003]

On US political leadership
"President Harry Truman was considered one of the most Zionist American Presidents."

"President Jimmy Carter was faithful to the Zionist vision".

"Nixon was an American President who believed in Zionism, and he defined the Jews working in the White House as pigs... He was the one who said concerning the Reagan-Gorbachev summit: 'Russia and America must cooperate in order to strike Islamic fundamentalism(!)'"

"Bush, the father, was the 6th American Zionist President ... and he is one of Pat Robertson's followers."

"In the chain of Zionist American Presidents the last US President Bill Clinton is included... [Clinton] also emphasized that his pastor predicted that he would rule America and charged him with [care for] the Jewish State, because with its blessing he shall win..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 4, 2003]

Participating in an event encouraging children to aspire to Shahada - heroic Death for Allah
"Dr. Ahmad Al-Yaziji, Under Secretary in the Ministry Youth and Sport, participated in the closing ceremony of the **Ayyat Al-Akhras [summer] camp for children. [The camp was] organized by the Shabibah organization of the Fatah... The number of participants was 150 boys and girls, ages 9 to 15. Participants in the ceremony ... included Nahid Al-Ris..."

[**Ayat Al-Akhras, a girl of age 17, was the youngest woman suicide bomber. Al-Quds, August 14, 2003]

Official PA TV: Israel will be destroyed through violence
October 8, 2003

While the Palestinian Authority (PA) gives lip service in English to condemning PA terrorism, in Arabic its official TV continues to promote and glorify violence, presenting it this openly last week as the means to destroy of Israel.

PA TV started re-broadcasting a short clip that reaffirms the fundamental PLO-PA message, that the goal and end result of Palestinian violence will be Israel's destruction. In this visually powerful clip, the PA conquest of Israel is depicted by visual symbols accompanied by verbal messages in song.

The visual depicts three stages:

Stage 1 - A heart is dripping blood beneath a formation in the shape of Israel, symbolizing pain, loss or sacrifice because of or linked to Israel's existence.

Stage 2 - Arms grasping stones sprout from the land all over Israel, symbolizing violent attacks throughout Israel.

Stage 3 - The PA flag appears, covers all of Israel and then rests above Israel, symbolizing the PA conquest of all of Israel.

The words sung while the PA flag hovers over Israel, include:

"Allah Akbar! [Allah is Great] O the young ones,
Shake the earth, raise the stones
You will not be saved, O Zionist,
From the volcano of my county's stones.
You will not be saved, O Zionist,
From the volcano of my county's stones.
You are the target of my eyes"

This video was broadcast twice on PA TV this week, September 29-30, 2003]
PA TV is owned and totally controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

PA Music Video: Israelis are Cold Blooded Murderers
August 24, 2003

Twice today PA TV broadcast a particularly hateful music video intended for children. It opens with a young girl rushing home to her mother with flowers, but as she approaches, an Israeli rifle appears at the corner of the screen and her mother is murdered in front of her eyes. In the next scene, the girl places the flowers intended for her mother on her mother's grave. The rest of the 5-minute music video is the girl's song of mourning and longing for her mother, which she sings over the grave.

This PA video is designed to create fear and hatred of Israelis among PA children, depicting them as people who would murder even their mother in cold blood. It had been broadcast almost daily from January - July 2003, and stopped being broadcast two weeks ago. As reported above, today it was broadcast twice.

The following are selections from the text of her song [PA TV subtitles]:

"My mother I miss you I know that you can hear me I can go to you ... If you can't come to me Cold has come to my life It makes me suffer...

Ma, your voice is still a tear in my eyes, I bear
Ma, your voice is still a tear in my eyes, I bear

Bring my mother back to me
Bring my mother back to me
Bring my mother back to me"

PA Music Video Promising "Maidens of Paradise" to Shahids - Two Days Before Suicide Bombings

An integral message of PA social - religious ideology is that great heavenly rewards await those who die the death of the Shahid, meaning they died for Allah. The PA defines all its terrorists, including suicide terrorists, as Shahids. One of the rewards promised the "Shahid" in PA Islamic teaching, is "72 dark eyed virgins" - the "Maidens of Paradise".

This week a music video that depicts a Shahid joining beautiful maidens in heaven, broadcast hundreds of times over the past three years, returned to PA TV.
[August 10, 2003]

The clip begins with scenes depicting a romance which is cut short when soldiers shoot the woman in the back. The woman immediately goes to heaven, where she joyously joins other young woman all dressed in identical long white gowns - the "Maidens of Paradise". The maidens are dancing in water, a clear depiction of Afterlife in Islamic tradition, said repeatedly in the Koran to have "flowing streams". Later on in the clip, the man visits the woman's grave and soldiers shoot him in the back as well. At the moment he falls to the ground, he immediately goes up to heaven and joins the maidens.

To view the video rendition on PA TV - the "Maidens of Paradise", click the icon below.

The PA grants Shahid status to all those killed in the war including, suicide bombers and other terrorists. This clip has appeared hundreds of times on Palestinian television since October 2000, as the PA has taught men to believe that they will get these women, possibly as encouragement to would be suicide bombers. Now this clip has come back on the air.

PMW Comment:
Today Israel was attacked by two suicide bombers. Whereas there is clearly no causal link between the recent broadcast on PA TV and today's bombing, there may very well be a more important link.

The political forces in the PA that control TV and gave the instruction to rebroadcast this music video encouraging Shahada, are quite possibly the same political forces that gave the okay to go ahead with the attacks. Yesterday, the day before the bombing, in interviews on Israeli TV Channel 10 and Galei Zahal [Israeli Army radio], PMW director Itamar Marcus warned about the implications of the return of this music video:

"That this message has returned quickly, after several weeks during which we did not see it, I view as being very serious, as they are showing men once again that it is worthwhile to become a Shahid." [Israel Channel 10] In the past PMW has demonstrated the direct link between PA terrorism and PA broadcasting, and has been able to accurately project PA intentions and actions based on PA media.

This promise, of "72 Dark Eyed Virgins" has likewise been taught on PA TV by PA religious leaders: "When the Shahid meets his Maker, all his sins are forgiven from the first gush of blood. He is exempted from the torments of the grave [Judgment]; he sees his place in Paradise, he is shielded from the great shock, and marries 72 Dark Eyed Virgins. He is an heavenly advocate for 70 members of his family, on his head is placed a crown of honor, one stone of which, is worth more than all there is in this world." [Dr. Ismail Al-Radouan, PA TV August 17, 2001]

Violence, Dead Bodies and
Seriously Wounded in PA TV clip

Introduction

The Palestinian Authority rebroadcast yesterday (July 29, 2003) an old clip, filled with violence, stone throwing and shootings. It includes 24 graphic scenes, including many close ups, of dead and seriously wounded Palestinians. It is the type of clip the PA used to broadcast hours a day during the height of the conflict.

The following are the words that accompany the film

Killing, Bombardment and house demolition
That will not hurt our strength.
By Allah, we shall say hello to you, O Jerusalem
We will take our freedom.
We are your boys Palestine
This is the Intifada generation
We will attack while the stones are in our hands
By Allah, [may] your struggle be like this.
We will not surrender, and no to humiliation
Even if the airplanes are bombing us
... until the liberation of Palestine
our blood will not be in vain
We are your people. O old one [Arafat is seen on screen]
We are the heroes of stone!

PA Society's Universal Support for Suicide Bombers
September 24, 2003

Two weeks ago, PMW reported that Palestinian Authority (PA) social organizations and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) were refusing to sign a US-required anti-terror clause, which states, that the beneficiary organization will not transfer any money to terrorists or terrorist organizations. During these past two weeks the opposition to the US is growing more organized as 26 organizations gathered in Bethlehem to publicly declare they would not sign the US anti-terror clause, while an even larger gathering is being planned. [See article below.]

It is also interesting to note that condemnation of the US anti-terror conditions is spreading in the Arab world. "Egyptian intellectuals promised to organize a media campaign [against the US demands]... They rejected the American document that established a condition and link between funding and signing. The Assistant to the Director General of the Arab Organization for [Human Rights] promised to raise the issue with other Arab countries and other Egyptian organizations."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, September 22, 2003]

It is ironic that on the very same page in the PA daily, right under the article repeatedly attacking USAID, is an advertisement by USAID offering scholarships to Palestinian students for study in the US.
[pg. 5, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, September 22, 2003]

Commentary and Analysis

There is far reaching significance to this collective refusal in the PA to sign the anti-terror clause, as their refusal not only defies US policy, but challenges a most fundamental premise regarding PA society. The common premise is that the general PA population rejects the murder of civilians through suicide terrorism, which would isolate suicide bombers on the fringe of PA society. However, when the entire organizational infrastructure, including social workers, psychologists, medical organizations and all social welfare organizations, refuse to sign an anti-terror declaration, it points to a PA society unified in their support for suicide bombers.

This has important ramifications as much international policy, including the Road Map and the attempted isolation of Arafat, is based on the premise that Arafat and those supporting terrorism represent a fringe element, and their isolation would bring about an intrinsic and presumably permanent change in PA policy. However, if the entire society supports terrorism, as the NGOs stand indicates, Arafat's isolation and replacement would not indicate a change of substance, and certainly not an intrinsic and permanent change.

Below is the article in Arabic attacking USAID above an English advertisement offering USAID scholarships to Palestinians.
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, pg. 5, September 22, 2003]

The following is the new article that appeared in the PA daily Al-Quds

Title: "The representatives of 29 NGOs [Non-Governmental Organizations] in the Bethlehem district reject the USAID document concerning support of the 'terror.' Our people are the victims of the terror".

"In the headquarters of the Social Workers and Psychologists Union in Bethlehem, a meeting took place with representatives from 26 NGOs ... [to] discuss the American Development Agency USAID document. [The US document] ... forbids aid to projects belonging to Palestinian agencies and organizations that support terrorism and assist it both directly or indirectly... Without signing this commitment, the funding will be stopped.

"Muhammad Halil Al-Laham, Head of the Popular [Welfare] Service Committee in the Al-Dehisha refugee camp, said that the proposed document by USAID is clear intervention in the affairs of the civil society institutions. The response to this document should not be ambiguous nor hesitant, it should be rejected clearly...

"Wijdan Al-Aza from the Working Woman's Society... demanded the rejection of any conditional funding or any foreign funding that does not respect not only the beneficiary Palestinian institutions, but also the legitimate goals of the Palestinian people, based on international legitimization.

"In coordination with the Civil Society Institutions and with the NGOs, Daod Bishara, a member of the Legislative Council, called to coordinate positions regarding this document and its conditions and to hold a general conference in the Palestinian territories in order to take a united position regarding this subject.

"At the end of the meeting, which was run by Adnan Ita from the Christian Youth Society and by Nabila Al-Dikak from the Social Workers Association, the participants decided to have a follow-up committee that would lead to another expanded meeting, and study the recommendations, with a remark that all those present stated their objection to signing and cooperating with [the terms of] this document.

Present at the meeting were also representatives from the District Headquarters and the Palestinian Ministry of Interior and from the Intelligence apparatus.

"In the same context, the Emergency Committee of the National and Islamic Forces in the district held a meeting, during which all the Civic Society Institutions were called to refuse to sign this document... "
[Al-Quds, September 23, 2003]

PA Teenager's Summer Camp Named
for Teenage Suicide Bomber
August 15, 2003

Introduction

Ayyat Al-Akhras - a 17-year-old girl - was the youngest child suicide bomber, murdering two Israelis in a Jerusalem supermarket on March 29, 2002. The PA has named a children's summer camp in her name. This is the second summer in a row in which a camp was named for Akhras and continues the PA policy of naming summer camps, sporting events and schools, after prominent terrorists.

This naming of a children's summer camp for a teenage terrorist is particularly problematic as it is quite natural for children to see another child being honored, as a role model.

The following appeared in yesterday's PA daily

"Dr. Ahmad al-Yazji, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports attended a graduation ceremony of a summer camp named after the Shahida (Woman who died for Allah) Ayyat Al-Akhras. It was organized by the Shabaiba [youth organization] of the Fatah in East Gaza... 150 children aged 9-15 participated in the camp...

"Al-Yazji stressed the role of the struggle fulfilled by the Palestinian National Liberation Movement "Fatah" and saluted the Shahids (Those who died for Allah), the wounded and the prisoners."
[Al-Quds, August 14, 2003]

Archives News Item:

“Today the activities begin in the tenth Scouts summer camp, the Shahid-Seeker - Ayyat Al-Akhras Camp...”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 4, 2002]

Arafat and 13 PA Leaders Sponsor Soccer
Tournament Honoring Terrorists
September 30, 2003

A major soccer tournament glorifying arch terrorists is underway in the Palestinian Authority (PA). While terrorist glorification is not unusual in the PA, this tournament is striking because it is sponsored very prominently by the heads of the PA, including Yasser Arafat; Saeb Erekat; Jibril Rajoub; the Minister of Sport Abdul Fatach Hamal; the Mufti of the PA Ikrama Sabri; and 10 other senior PA officials.

Each of the 24 soccer teams is named for a terrorist or other Shahid [the term of supreme honor designating "Martyrs" - those who died in the combat with Israel] including some of the most infamous murderers. Among those honored are Yechya Ayash, the first Hamas bomb-belt engineer, who initiated the suicide bombings; Dalal Mughrabi, a terrorist woman who hijacked a bus killing 36 in 1978; Abu Ali Mustafa, the head of the terrorist Popular Front; Az Adin Al-Kassam, the name of the suicide bombers' wing of the Hamas; Raid Carmi, commander of the suicide bomber wing of Fatah, the Al-Aqsa Brigades, in Tul Karem; Hassan Salame, of the Black September terror group, involved in the Olympic massacre of Israeli athletes; Abu Jihad, PLO leader; Thabit Thabit, head of the Tanzim terror group in Tul Karem; Jamal Mansour of Hamas; Salah Khalif, PLO leader; Salah Drowza of Hamas; Kamal Adwan PLO leader.
[Al-Ayyam, September 21, 2003]

Presenting terrorists as heroes and role models is common practice in the PA. In January, PMW reported on the soccer tournament for 12-year-old boys named after Abd Al-Baset Odeh, the suicide terrorist who killed 30 at the Passover Seder in April 2002.

As stated, this event is significant as Yasser Arafat and 13 PA leaders have prominently put their names behind this. In addition, it is at the very time the PA is actively courting world leaders to continue promoting the Road Map, based on the premise that the PA has reformed and now rejects terrorism.

UN Is Funding Summer Camps Honoring Terrorists
July 25, 2003

PMW has been reporting the repeated Palestinian Authority (PA) naming of children's camps this summer after terrorists, including suicide terrorists, and it seems from the mention of UNICEF in the PA papers that the UN is a significant supporter of these camps. The summer camps, are often named after specific terrorists or just the general term "Shahid," meaning "Died for Allah," the term the PA uses to honor the terrorists, as well as others who died in the conflict with Israel. A girl's summer camp was named after Wafa Idris, a woman suicide terrorist.

Beyond the act of naming summer camps for terrorists, the camps include activities and lectures designed to present the terrorists as role models and heroes for the children, such as visits to their families, discussions about them and more. The camps are under the auspices of the PA Ministry of Youth and Sports and UNICEF is singled out and thanked in news articles for their financial support of the camps.

The following are articles mentioning UNICEF or describing the activities, from among many other similar articles:

1. "Yesterday the activities of the scouts' Shahid Camp in Dir Al-Ballah were officially unveiled ... under the supervision of the scouts' authority in the Youth and Sports Department ... and with the support of UNICEF. 140 scouts of both sexes took part in the camp..."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 22, 2003]

2. In the Ibn-Al-Hitham elementary school in Nablus, activities at the "Shahids of Chattin" summer camp drew to a close. This [camp] had been organized by the Youth and Sports Department, in conjunction with the Chattin division scouts' club, UNICEF and the national committee for summer camps. In honor of this event a grand ceremony took place... Al-Issui gave a speech on behalf of the Minister of Youth and Sport in which he recalled the Shahids for Palestine, after whom the camp was named. During the ceremony there were artistic interludes presented by the Shahid Mahmad Al-Tzabar Choir, along with the Shahid Abu Jibran Group and the group [named after] the two Shahid brothers Kemal and Tissir Abu-Shahab..."
[Al-Quds, July 23, 2003]

3. "Yesterday, activities ended in the camp named after the Shahida [a female who died for Allah] Wafa Idris, for girls in the city of Kalkiliya. The camp was founded by the Scout general administration in the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The camp was under the supervision of the Scouts in the Kalkiliya Administration and about 100 girls from the organizing committee of the city's Scouts participated.

"...[At the closing ceremonies thanks were given including] to UNICEF for its support of the camps."
[Al-Ayyam July 18, 2003]

[Note: Wafa Idris was the first woman suicide terrorist.]

4. "The Palestinian Union for Culture, Sciences and Development continues with the activities of the fifth round of the summer camps (which) bears the title: "The Shahid Al-Amarin." [150 boys and girls aged 12 and 13 are taking part in this camp.]

Yesterday the camp's participants went to the home of the Shahid Jihad Al-Amarin, where (they were greeted by) the Shahid's wife, children and family. During the visit there were speeches praising the virtues of the Shahid Jihad Al-Amarin, who was assassinated a year ago by the forces of the occupation.

[Jihad Al-Amarin, the founder of the Al-Aksa Martyrs' Brigade, was killed by Israel.]

The Shahid's wife expressed her joy at our people's loyalty to her husband, stating that the Shahid Jihad followed a national mission. During the visit the Shahid's wife was presented with the camp's shield." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 13, 2003]

PA TV Glorifies First Woman Suicide Terrorist - Wafa Idris

Wafa Idris became the first woman suicide terrorist when she murdered one Israeli and injured over 150 in Jerusalem on January 27, 2002. Her act of terrorism has been glorified by the PA continuously, including the naming of educational programs and summer camps after her. Today PA TV broadcast the following song honoring her.

The lyrics My sister, Wafa, My sister, Wafa, Oh, the heartbeat of pride, Oh, blossom who was on the Earth and is now in heaven, (2x) My sister, Wafa Allah Akbar! Oh Palestine of the Arabs Allah Akbar, Oh Wafa! But you chose Shahada [Death for Allah - Martyrdom] In death you have brought life to our will. But you chose Shahada, In death you have brought life to our will. [PATV, July 24, 2003 and others]

PA Soccer Tourney Named for
Passover Massacre Suicide Bomber

A Palestinian soccer tournament for 12-year-old boys has been named after the suicide bomber who killed 29 Jews during Passover Seder. The suicide bomber's brother has been chosen to present the trophy to the winning team. All seven teams participating in the tournament are named after terrorists and others who the PA refers to as Shahids - those having died for Allah.

The following is the report in the official PA paper

"...in Tulkarm's Abd Al-Majid Tia School soccer field, under the auspices of Jamal Tarif, director of education; Sport Supervisor Jamal Odeh; and in the presence of school principal Jamal Ayat; the head of the Sports committee, and committee members; the Tulkarm Shahids Memorial Soccer Championship tournament of the Shahid Abd Al-Baset Odeh [the suicide bomber who attacked a Netanya hotel last Passover Eve], began with the participation of seven top teams, named after Shahids who gave their lives to redeem the homeland. Isam, the brother of the Shahid, will distribute the trophies.

"The teams are:
Abed Al Basset Odeh [carried out the Passover Eve Massacre at the Park Hotel in Netanya]
Raed Carmi [slain Tulkarm Fatah Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigade commander]
Wajdi Al-Hatab [Palestinian child who requested cake be distributed after his death in combat]
Tarek Abu Safaka [carried out the suicide attack on the Samaria community of Hermesh on February 10, 2002, killing three Israelis]
Tarek Alqato [Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigade operative killed in a clash with IDF troops]
Mahmud Marmash [Netanya suicide bomber]
Husam Al[Hamshari
[Sports pages of the official PA daily newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadida January 21, 2003].

PA TV: Kill Jews of the Disputed Areas

Official Palestinian Authority (PA) TV has broadcast a music video calling for the murder of Jews in the disputed areas, even showing scenes of Jewish teenage girls and a Jewish couple, who are among those targeted for death by PA TV.

The music video shows scenes of masked gunman firing automatic rifles, aerial views of Jewish towns, and as mention