Yesterday, I posted some disturbing statements by a representative of our peace partners, the PA.
Today, the Israeli government is shocked – shocked, I tell you – at reports PA President “Moderate” Mahmoud Abbas plans to honor two female terrorists.
If reports that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to present two female terrorists with a medal of honor are found to be true, it will be a grave development, the consequences of which Israel will need to consider, senior government officials told Israel Radio on Wednesday.
However, the unnamed officials said the accuracy of the reports had not yet been confirmed.
The radio station reported earlier in the day that the Al Kuds Mark of Honor, the PLO’s highest medal, would be given to two female terrorists who helped kill Israelis.
The two were Ahlam Tamimi, a Hamas affiliate serving a life sentence for driving the suicide bomber who exploded himself in the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, killing at least half a dozen people, and Amra Muna, who seduced Ophir Rahum over the Internet and then lured him to Ramallah where he was murdered.
Conferring the Al Kuds Mark of Honor is decided at the discretion of the Palestinian Authority’s president, and he alone has the final say when choosing the Palestinians to be honored with the medal.
Palestinian Minister for Prisoner Affairs Ashraf el Ajami told Israel Radio that his ministry gave PA President Mahmoud Abbas a comprehensive list of prisoners and his office chose the nominees from this list.
Ajami refused to confirm that the medal would be given to Tamimi and Muna, saying that he didn’t want to “ruin the surprise” for the families attending the ceremony scheduled for Thursday.
Abbas himself was en route to Russia and his staff refused to comment on the report.
Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar said the report was “troubling and severe” news, but added that if the report were true, it would continue a recent history of doublespeak from Abbas, which, Sa’ar said, presented different Palestinian intentions and narratives when speaking to Arab crowds and when addressing Western diplomats.
Sa’ar mentioned a recent article where Abbas – Israel’s Palestinian peace partner – hinted that a return to armed struggle might be in the benefit of the Palestinian cause.
The real worrying thing is not what we are seeing and hearing from Abbas and the PA – this is already known – but rather the likely Israeli inaction.
Sure, the Israeli government official quoted in the report said Israel would need to “consider the consequences” if it is found that Abbas did indeed honor the terrorists. But really, what will Israel do? This is not the first time Abbas and the PA have rewarded terrorists or promoted violence against Israel, yet Israel has continued with the “peace process”, including supplying the PA with funds, weapons, and training. Furthermore, could we really expect the Israeli government to admit it has been wrong in supporting the PA and considering them as serious partners of peace?
Of course not.
And that, my friends, is depressing.
