PA Leadership Present as Singer Says Israel is 'Palestinian'

While the Palestinian Authority’s leadership continues to claim that it recognizes Israel’s right to exist, their television and cultural events continue to suggest the exact opposite.

The Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) research institute, which continuously monitors the Palestinian Authority media, presented a video of a recent Fatah event, attended by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and many of his officials, in which a PA Arab singer defines all of Israel as being “Palestinian."

The event was originally televised on February 27, 2011 and was rebroadcast on PA television on May 12. The Arab singer says the following words in his song:
“We commit and promise to stand behind you, o Mahmoud Abbas, until Judgment Day. I am returning to you, the purest land, o land of the free. No matter how long the nights of exile, I am returning to you, o land. From Rafah to Rosh Hanikrah [northern Israel] our coast, and Beit She'an [Israeli city]. Above your soil, o my land, is a picture of Garden of Eden. From Rafah to Rosh Hanikrah our coast, and Beit She'an. From Rafah to Rosh Hanikrah, north and south, are the picture's borders. From Haifa [Israeli city] and Tantura to the [Jordan] valley [i.e., all of Israel]. I am returning to you, the purest land, o land of the free.”
Senior PA officials can clearly be seen in the audience and some of them are shown to be applauding the singer. Among those present are Abbas himself, PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abd Rabo, PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi, and Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki. Israeli-Arab MK Ahmed Tibi is also seen in the audience.
Such “double talk” is nothing out of the ordinary among the PA leadership. Another recent incident of duplicity, also exposed by PMW, involved Abbas condemning on Israeli television the naming of a square in Ramallah after a female terrorist who led a terror attack in March of 1978 which ended with 37 Israelis dead, including 13 children.
In an interview he gave to PA-based newspaper, however, Abbas said the exact opposite and commended this action.

PMW: Abbas's duplicity about his support for honoring terrorist Dalal Mughrabi To the PA: "Of course we want to name a square after her" To Israelis: "There's no doubt, I'm against it"

In an interview with Israeli TV Channel 2 last week, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Palestinians' naming of a square after Dalal Mughrabi, the terrorist who led the most lethal terror attack in Israel's history:

"There's no doubt, I'm against it.
I condemn this action [of naming a square after Mughrabi]," Abbas, said.  

However, when speaking to Palestinians in 2010, Abbas said he supported it. 

"Of course we want to name a square after her... We carried out a military action; can I then later renounce all that we have done?"

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 17, 2010]

Palestinian Media Watch reported on this in detail in 2010. (See full timeline of the Dalal Mughrabi square controversy.)

In addition, Abbas has personally glorified terrorist Mughrabi, whose bus hijacking in 1978 killed 37 civilians. Abbas funded a computer center named after Mughrabi:

"Yesterday the Hebron Building Committee inaugurated a computer center named after the Shahida (Martyr) Dalal Mughrabi. Present at the event were President Mahmoud Abbas's advisor for communications and information technology... The center was funded by a contribution from the President's Office."

[Al-Ayyam, May 5, 2009]

Abbas was the sponsor of a "birthday" celebration on what would have been Mughrabi's 50th birthday, with senior Fatah officials present and a live performance of songs and poems, all to honor the terrorist:

PA TV News: "Under the auspices of President Mahmoud Abbas, the Political and National Education Authority held a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Shahida(Martyr) Dalal Mughrabi. The ceremony included a live performance with songs of the [Fatah] Revolution, and poems about the sense of belonging and loyalty to this homeland."

[PA TV (Fatah), Dec. 29, 2009]

Click to view PA and Abbas's birthday celebration for terrorist Dalal Mughrabi

The text on a giant banner carrying Mughrabi's portrait at the birthday ceremony read:

"Under the auspices of President Mahmoud Abbas, The Political and National Education Authority, Ceremony on the anniversary of the birth of the bride of the cosmos, The Shahida(Martyr) Dalal Mughrabi."

[PA TV (Fatah), Dec. 29, 2009]

The PA regularly glorifies terrorists and turns them into role models for Palestinian society. Abbas participates actively in this and has also glorified other terrorists. For example, after the death of Amin Al-Hindi who was one of the senior planners of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes in the Munich Olympics in 1972, the PA, with Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad personally attending, honored him with an official red carpet military funeral. (See text below.)

Abbas honored another planner of the Munich Olympics attack, Muhammad Daoud Oudeh, by referring to him as "a wonderful brother, companion, tough and stubborn, relentless fighter." (See text below.)

Click to see PMW documentation of additional examples of terror glorification by Abbas.

In the past, Abbas also admitted his personal involvement in and responsibility for the PA terror campaign that killed over 1000 Israelis between 2000 and 2005 (the "Intifada"). When calling for the release of all terrorists in Israeli prisons, Abbas said it was because "we ordered them":

"I demand [the release of security] prisoners because they are human beings, who did what we, we, ordered them to do. We, the [Palestinian] Authority. They should not be punished while we sit at one table negotiating. This is war. One (i.e., Israel) ordered a soldier to kill, and 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?" 

[PA TV (Fatah), Feb. 14, 2005]

Click to view Abbas saying "we ordered them"

Abbas has also expressed pride in having been involved in training Hezbollah terrorists:

"I was honored to be the one to shoot the first bullet in 1965 (i.e., Fatah terror against Israel began in 1965), and having taught resistance to many in this area and around the world, defining it and when it is beneficial and when it is not... we had the honor of leading the resistance. We taught everyone what resistance is, including the Hezbollah, who were trained in our camps (i.e., PLO camps in the 60s and 70s)."

[Al-Dustur (Jordan), Feb. 28, 2008]

Click to view documentation of more statements by Abbas in the PMW website category "Personal responsibility for terror."

The following are the full transcripts of Abbas's contradictory statements for and against the naming of the square after terrorist Dalal Mughrabi:

Abbas to Israeli TV 2 - condemns naming square:

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas: "If there's incitement on my part, where is it?"
Israeli TV host: "On TV."
Abbas: "No. I say, in Israel there's also incitement."
Host: "I'll give you another example. When the Israeli public sees the PA glorifies terrorists, calling a square for [terrorist] Dalal Mughrabi, a street for [terrorist] Ayyash."
Abbas: "These [namings] are not by the PA but by the municipalities. The municipalities have a degree of independence."
Host: "Are you personally against those commemorations?"
Abbas: "There's no doubt, I'm against it... Whatever we must do, you must do as well, but I condemn this action [naming square for Mughrabi]."

[Israeli TV Channel 2, March 19, 2011] 

Abbas to Palestinians - supports naming square:

Mahmoud Abbas, PA Chairman:

"They [Israel] say about me that I carry out terrorist activities. What are those terrorist activities? That I search for those who sell land in Jerusalem and chase them. Of course I chase them, and I shall continue to do so. Is that a crime? [Israel says,] 'Does he [Abbas] not know that they [the PA] named a square after Dalal Mughrabi and he [Abbas] personally went [to the ceremony]?' - Of course I did not go myself, but I do not deny [the naming]. Of course we want to name a square after her. Okay, what about [murdered Israeli cabinet minister Rehavam] Zeevi? They [Israelis] named a road after him [in the Jordan Valley], near brother Saeb [Erekat, i.e, the chief Fatah negotiator], and so on. What is it [that Israel wants]? That we renounce our history? How? We... carried out a military activity; can I then later renounce all that we have done? No, I don't renounce it." [Emphasis added.]

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 17, 2010]

The following are the transcripts of Abbas honoring planners of the Munich Olympics attack, terrorists Amin Al-Hindi and Muhammad Daoud Oudeh:

"The Palestinian leadership, along with President Mahmoud Abbas, parted yesterday from the body of the Fatah leader and fighter patriot Amin Al-Hindi. This was at an impressive official military funeral that was held at the [PA] headquarters to bid farewell to theShahid (Martyr)...

Present at the headquarters for the farewell ceremony and for the official military funeral, along with the President [Abbas], were Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad; Secretary General of the Presidential office, Al-Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim; members of the PLO Executive Council and of the Fatah Central Committee; several ministers, commanders of security forces, senior civic and military personnel, as well as relatives of the deceased.

The body of Al-Hindi, which was wrapped in shrouds, arrived draped with the Palestinian flag and was borne on the shoulders of his [metaphorical] sons - officers of the Guard of Honor at the presidential headquarters. A red carpet was laid out for the arrival of the body, and the military band played the final farewell melody. A squad from the Guard of Honor fired 21 shots. President Abbas and the participants at the funeral cast a final parting look at the body, and laid wreaths. Afterwards, the President [Abbas] and those present read the opening sura [of the Quran] for the elevation of his pure soul."

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Aug. 19, 2010]

Official PA daily:

Headline: "The President [Abbas] expresses condolences over the death of the fighters Muhammad Oudeh and Ja'afar Shadid..."
"President Mahmoud Abbas sent a telegram of condolences yesterday over the death of the great fighter Muhammad Daoud Oudeh, 'Abu Daoud,' who died just before reaching 70. The telegram of condolences read: 'The deceased was one of the prominent leaders of the Fatah movement and lived a life filled with the struggle, devoted effort, and the enormous sacrifice of the deceased for the sake of the legitimate problem of his people, in many spheres. He was at the forefront on every battlefield, with the aim of defending the [Palestinian] revolution. What a wonderful brother, companion, tough and stubborn, relentless fighter." [Emphasis added.]

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 4, 2010]

PMW: Fayyad's duplicity about support for terror on day of Jerusalem bombing

Wednesday after Jerusalem bombing when world was listening: Fayyad: "I condemn this terror operation" Wednesday before Jerusalem bombing on Palestinian radio: Fayyad: "Honor and admiration" to women terrorists by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik On Wednesday afternoon, Palestinian Authority Prime Minster Salam Fayyad condemned as "terror" the bomb at a Jerusalem bus stop that killed one woman. On Wednesday morning, Fayyad honored Palestinian women terrorists, including two who drove suicide bombers to terror attacks killing five. He also honored a terrorist who placed a bomb in a bus station, an action identical to the one he condemned just a few hours later. Fayyad condemned Jerusalem bombing Wednesday afternoon: "I condemn this terror operation in the harshest terms, no matter who stands behind it." Fayyad praised Palestinian terrorists Wednesday morning: "I will not fail to mention with honor and admiration the resolve of the female prisoners, the fighters, and of all the prisoners of freedom who are imprisoned in the Israeli prisons, experiencing indescribable suffering. This requires that all of us intensify the effort to ensure their liberation from the occupation's chains and from the abuse of its [Israel's] executioners." In a radio speech, Fayyad then specifically named the following terrorists: Qahira Al-Sa'adi, who drove suicide bomber to attack killing 3 in Jerusalem in 2002. Irena Sarahneh, who drove suicide bomber to attack killing 2 and injuring dozens, in Israeli city Rishon LeZion in 2002. Iman Ghazawi, who in 2001 placed a bomb at the central bus station in Tel Aviv that was discovered before it exploded. Latifa Abu Zara'a, who in 2003 smuggled a bomb into Israel for suicide terror attack that was uncovered before it was implemented. Having condemned the bomb in Jerusalem as "terror," Fayyad elaborated, explaining that such "actions" have damaged the Palestinian cause in the past: "It is shameful that after all the catastrophes which such actions have brought upon our people, and the heavy damage which they have brought to our struggle and to the justice of our cause, some Palestinian party still insists on renewing these shameful operations and scenes." The following are the two stories both published the day after the Jerusalem bombing in the official PA daily:   Fayyad honors terrorists including two who drove suicide bombers, and one who placed a bomb: "Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, opened his weekly radio address by sending greetings to the Palestinian mother in honor of Mothers' Day... The Prime Minister congratulated the Palestinian mothers for their leading and prominent role, alongside the men, and for their struggle to achieve full equal rights, out of thorough belief that a woman's right to equality is a natural, absolute and inalienable right. He said, 'On this occasion, I will not fail to mention with honor and admiration the resolve of the female prisoners, the fighters, and of all the prisoners of freedom who are imprisoned in the Israeli prisons, experiencing indescribable suffering. This requires that all of us intensify the effort to ensure their liberation from the occupation's chains and from the abuse of its [Israel's] executioners. I make special mention of all the women prisoners who are mothers: Iman Ghazawi, who has been imprisoned for ten years; Qahira Al-Sa'adi; Irena Sarahneh; Latifa Abu Zara'a; Ibtisam Al-Issawi; Muntaha Al-Tawil; and Kifah Qatash.' He added, 'We do not forget the Palestinian mothers who stand as a barricade before the Israeli bulldozers in order to protect their land and their homes... I do not forget our righteous Shahid (Martyr) mothers, the mothers who are prisoners of freedom, and the mothers who have been injured or expelled.'" [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 24, 2011] Fayyad condemns placing bomb in Jerusalem as "terror": "President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad yesterday condemned the operation (i.e., terror attack in which bomb exploded at bus stop) in Jerusalem, in which a woman was killed and 31 others were injured. US President Barack Obama condemned the operation and called for calm. At the same time, Palestinian rockets hit two cities deep inside Israel, causing injury to one resident... In an announcement published by the WAFA Palestinian News Agency, President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the operation which took place in Jerusalem and claimed civilian casualties. The announcement added, 'The President already condemned yesterday the Israeli operation (i.e., after Hamas Grad rockets attacks on Israeli cities Ashkelon and Beer Sheva, Israel attacked Hamas targets, which led to civilian casualties as well) in the Gaza Strip, leading to the Martyrdom deaths of 8 civilians and the injury of more than 20 others in Israeli bombings of various areas in the Gaza Strip.' Prime Minister Fayyad condemned 'harshly' the explosion which took place next to the Jerusalem central bus station. He emphasized that such actions bring 'catastrophes' upon the Palestinian people. In an announcement, Fayyad said, 'I condemn this terror operation in the harshest terms, no matter who stands behind it.' Fayyad wished the injured a speedy recovery. He said, 'It is shameful that after all the catastrophes which such actions have brought upon our people, and the heavy damage which they have brought to our struggle and to the justice of our cause, some Palestinian party still insists on renewing these shameful operations and scenes, under hollow slogans which our people no longer believe, and which stand in complete contrast to its legitimate attempt to earn freedom through peaceful means and through its determination to stand resolute and to remain upon its land.' [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 24, 2011]

Fayyad's duplicity about support for terror on day of Jerusalem bombing http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=4843    Wednesday after Jerusalem bombing when world was listening: Fayyad: "I condemn this terror operation" Wednesday before Jerusalem bombing on Palestinian radio:     Fayyad: "Honor and admiration" to women terrorists by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik On Wednesday afternoon, Palestinian Authority Prime Minster Salam Fayyad condemned as "terror" the bomb at a Jerusalem bus stop that killed one woman.  On Wednesday morning, Fayyad honored Palestinian women terrorists, including two who drove suicide bombers to terror attacks killing five. He also honored a terrorist who placed a bomb in a bus station, an action identical to the one he condemned just a few hours later. Fayyad condemned Jerusalem bombing Wednesday afternoon: "I condemn this terror operation in the harshest terms, no matter who stands behind it." Fayyad praised Palestinian terrorists Wednesday morning: "I will not fail to mention with honor and admiration the resolve of the female prisoners, the fighters, and of all the prisoners of freedom who are imprisoned in the Israeli prisons, experiencing indescribable suffering. This requires that all of us intensify the effort to ensure their liberation from the occupation's chains and from the abuse of its [Israel's] executioners." In a radio speech, Fayyad then specifically named the following terrorists: Qahira Al-Sa'adi, who drove suicide bomber to attack killing 3 in Jerusalem in 2002. Irena Sarahneh, who drove suicide bomber to attack killing 2 and injuring dozens, in Israeli city Rishon LeZion in 2002. Iman Ghazawi, who in 2001 placed a bomb at the central bus station in Tel Aviv that was discovered before it exploded. Latifa Abu Zara'a, who in 2003 smuggled a bomb into Israel for suicide terror attack that was uncovered before it was implemented. Having condemned the bomb in Jerusalem as "terror," Fayyad elaborated, explaining that such "actions" have damaged the Palestinian cause in the past:  "It is shameful that after all the catastrophes which such actions have brought upon our people, and the heavy damage which they have brought to our struggle and to the justice of our cause, some Palestinian party still insists on renewing these shameful operations and scenes." The following are the two stories both published the day after the Jerusalem bombing in the official PA daily:   Fayyad honors terrorists including two who drove suicide bombers, and one who placed a bomb:  "Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, opened his weekly radio address by sending greetings to the Palestinian mother in honor of Mothers' Day... The Prime Minister congratulated the Palestinian mothers for their leading and prominent role, alongside the men, and for their struggle to achieve full equal rights, out of thorough belief that a woman's right to equality is a natural, absolute and inalienable right. He said, 'On this occasion, I will not fail to mention with honor and admiration the resolve of the female prisoners, the fighters, and of all the prisoners of freedom who are imprisoned in the Israeli prisons, experiencing indescribable suffering. This requires that all of us intensify the effort to ensure their liberation from the occupation's chains and from the abuse of its [Israel's] executioners. I make special mention of all the women prisoners who are mothers: Iman Ghazawi, who has been imprisoned for ten years; Qahira Al-Sa'adi; Irena Sarahneh; Latifa Abu Zara'a; Ibtisam Al-Issawi; Muntaha Al-Tawil; and Kifah Qatash.' He added, 'We do not forget the Palestinian mothers who stand as a barricade before the Israeli bulldozers in order to protect their land and their homes... I do not forget our righteous Shahid (Martyr) mothers, the mothers who are prisoners of freedom, and the mothers who have been injured or expelled.'" [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 24, 2011] Fayyad condemns placing bomb in Jerusalem as "terror":  "President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad yesterday condemned the operation (i.e., terror attack in which bomb exploded at bus stop) in Jerusalem, in which a woman was killed and 31 others were injured. US President Barack Obama condemned the operation and called for calm. At the same time, Palestinian rockets hit two cities deep inside Israel, causing injury to one resident... In an announcement published by the WAFA Palestinian News Agency, President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the operation which took place in Jerusalem and claimed civilian casualties. The announcement added, 'The President already condemned yesterday the Israeli operation (i.e., after Hamas Grad rockets attacks on Israeli cities Ashkelon and Beer Sheva, Israel attacked Hamas targets, which led to civilian casualties as well) in the Gaza Strip, leading to the Martyrdom deaths of 8 civilians and the injury of more than 20 others in Israeli bombings of various areas in the Gaza Strip.' Prime Minister Fayyad condemned 'harshly' the explosion which took place next to the Jerusalem central bus station. He emphasized that such actions bring 'catastrophes' upon the Palestinian people. In an announcement, Fayyad said, 'I condemn this terror operation in the harshest terms, no matter who stands behind it.' Fayyad wished the injured a speedy recovery. He said, 'It is shameful that after all the catastrophes which such actions have brought upon our people, and the heavy damage which they have brought to our struggle and to the justice of our cause, some Palestinian party still insists on renewing these shameful operations and scenes, under hollow slogans which our people no longer believe, and which stand in complete contrast to its legitimate attempt to earn freedom through peaceful means and through its determination to stand resolute and to remain upon its land.' [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 24, 2011]