The Hamas terrorist's “Al Kassam” brigades had a unique reason to celebrate this week, as the one hundredth terrorist affiliated with the group earned an academic diploma at Israel's expense. The occasion was publicized on Hamas' PS Al-Kassam website.

The milestone was reached by Mahmoud Abu-Sarur, of Bethlehem, who is serving a life sentence for various terrorism-related crimes. Sarur received an MA in political science from Open University.

The other ninety-nine Hamas terrorists to receive degrees while imprisoned in Israel also studied through Open University, Israel's correspondence college. Their studies are paid for by Israeli taxpayers, as academic studies are a standard benefit in Israel's jails.

Several arch-terrorists have received degrees while in Israel. Among them is Samir Kuntar, the Lebanese terrorist convicted of murdering several Israelis, including a four-year-old girl. Kuntar completed a bachelor's degree in social studies and humanities while in jail; he has since been released to Lebanon as part of a prisoner exchange deal.

Some terrorist prisoners have also completed their studies through Arab universities, with help from the Red Cross and other visitors, who bring papers and assignments back and forth.

A Palestinian Authority official affiliated with Hamas' rival, Fatah, recently complained over Israel's prison policy while visiting the Peres Center for Peace. Israel “is strengthening Hamas,” he said, by creating a situation in which Hamas terrorists are more likely to receive matriculation certificates and higher degrees than are Fatah terrorists.

"That, more than anything else, makes Hamas look like the victor,” he said.