Fatah, the party led by Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’, has praised one of the murderers freed recently as a “goodwill gesture” by Israel as a national hero, and pledged to “continue to walk in his path.”

The statements, translated by Palestinian Media Watch, were made on an official Fatah Facebook page, and came a week before murderer Issa Abd Rabbo’s release last Tuesday, marking the 30th anniversary of his murderous act and subsequent arrest.

Rabbo was serving two life sentences for murdering two Israeli university students Ron Levi and Revital Seri, who were hiking south of Jerusalem on October 2, 1984. He attacked them, tied them up at gunpoint and put bags over their heads, after which he executed them in cold blood.

The statements pledging to “continue in the path” of the murderer by Fatah, the group headed Israel’s negotiating partner, throw serious doubt on the peaceful intentions of the Palestinian Authority in the talks.

At the release of the 26 terrorists, Abbas celebrated with the murderers and embraced Rabbo on stage.

That same day Deputy Minister of Defense Danny Danon said “the pictures of the terrorists who are released tonight will be etched forever into the memories of future generations of terrorists who will also dream of being ‘returning heroes’ to their villages,” adding, “with terrorists…they speak in terms of strength and power.”

It is the latest in a string of incidents in which PA-affiliated groups or organs have engaged in incitement or glorification of terrorism.

Last Wednesday, Israel’s ambassador to the UN filed an official complaint with the United Nations in the wake of a condolence letter sent by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to the family of a terrorist who was responsible for a 2012 Tel Aviv bus bombing attack.