Abbas Justifies Palestinian Violence as "Protection of Holy Sites"

Strategic Insights -

Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas has spoken out in support of recent violence against Israeli civilians, portraying it as a necessary act of self-defense to protect holy sites. In a speech on October 6, 2015, Abbas claimed that Palestinians were entitled to defend themselves against Israeli aggression, which he alleged was aimed at dividing the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Abbas' comments came just days after Palestinian terrorists murdered four Israeli civilians, including a couple and their four children. Abbas' advisor, Sultan Abu Al-Einein, went further, glorifying the stabbing murder of two Israeli civilians in Jerusalem as a "heroic operation" and praising the terrorists involved.

Key Takeaways:

  • Abbas justified Palestinian violence against Israeli civilians as a necessary act of self-defense to protect holy sites.
  • Abbas claimed that Palestinians were entitled to defend themselves against Israeli aggression, which he alleged was aimed at dividing the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
  • Abbas' advisor, Sultan Abu Al-Einein, glorified the stabbing murder of two Israeli civilians in Jerusalem as a "heroic operation."
  • Abbas' comments came just days after Palestinian terrorists murdered four Israeli civilians, including a couple and their four children.
  • Abbas called for non-violence and blamed Israel for the violence, stating that Palestinians "do not start and do not initiate" attacks.
  • Abbas' speech was given on October 6, 2015, during a time of ongoing Palestinian rioting, which included shootings, stabbings, and rock and Molotov cocktail throwing.
  • Abbas' advisor, Al-Einein, posted a picture of the terrorist who carried out a stabbing attack in Jerusalem, calling him a "martyr" and praising his "heroic operation."
  • The PA has repeatedly incited violence against Israel, claiming that it is plotting to take over and destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Statistics:

  • 4 Israeli civilians were murdered by Palestinian terrorists on October 1 and 3, 2015.
  • The Palestinian terrorists who carried out the attacks were members of Hamas.
  • 5 Hamas members were arrested and confessed to the murders.
  • The Al-Aqsa Mosque is a flashpoint for Palestinian violence against Israel, with the PA repeatedly claiming that Israel is plotting to divide or destroy it.
  • Abbas' speech was given on October 6, 2015, during a time of ongoing Palestinian rioting, which had already resulted in the deaths of multiple Israelis.
  • The PA has repeatedly used social media to incite violence against Israel, with Abbas' advisor, Al-Einein, using his Facebook page to glorify terrorist attacks.

Sources:

  • "Abbas justifies violence and murder as 'protection of holy sites'" by Itamar Marcus, Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), October 11, 2015.
  • "Abbas' advisor glorifies murder on Facebook" by Itamar Marcus, Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), October 11, 2015.
  • "Official PA TV, Oct. 6, 2015 and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Oct. 7, 2015"
  • "Facebook page of Advisor to PA Chairman Abbas on NGOs and Fatah Central Committee member Sultan Abu Al-Einein, reposted from website of Lebanese Fatah's Information and Culture Commission"
  • "Facebook page of Abbas' Advisor and Fatah Central Committee member Sultan Abu Al-Einein, Oct. 4, 2015"