The Park Hotel attack
The Park Hotel attackIsrael news photo: file

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has vehemently rejected reports of PA incitement, and has even gone so far as to claim that Israel, not the PA, is the party guilty of incitement. However, while he insists that his government does not promote terrorism, his ministers continue to laud and reward terrorists.

This week, the terrorist chosen for recognition was Abbas Al-Sayid, who planned the Park Hotel bombing in Netanya, in which 30 Jews were murdered and dozens more handicapped or scarred for life as they sat down for a Passover meal in 2002. Al-Sayid is serving 30 life sentences for murder.

PA Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake visited Al-Sayid's family and gave them an honorary plaque from the PA. The PA logo can be seen on pictures of the award in local Arab media, as can Al-Sayid's name.

Karake's visit was reported in Al-Hayat al-Jadida and on Fatah TV, in articles translated by the Palestinian Media Watch organization.

PA media reports said Al-Sayid has been on hunger strike for 21 days, in protest of the fact that he is currently in solitary confinement. “Karake warned of the severity of prisoner Al-Sayid's condition, following a deterioration of his health in the wake of the strike. He placed the responsibility for [Sayid's] life and health upon the Israeli government and the prison administration, and called for a response to the demands for an end to his solitary confinement,” according to Al-Hayat al-Jadida.

In 2010 PA incitement was found to be on the rise. Children's shows containing incitement against Israel targeted Israeli Arab children as their audience in addition to children living under the PA.

The Security Cabinet decided in mid-March to establish an index to monitor PA incitement.