As was expected, the Palestinian Authority glorified the 91 terrorists whose bodies were returned by Israel, as a gesture by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
The Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) research organization, which monitors and translates the PA-based media, has translated and presented on its website several incidents in which the PA glorified the dead terrorists. The PA gave the terrorists a military funeral for heroes, with the participation of Abbas, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and other PA dignitaries.
All the returned terrorists, including many suicide bombers who murdered Israeli civilians, were presented as heroic and categorized as Shahids (martyrs).
In one speech which was broadcast on PA TV on May 31 and which was delivered by the Secretary General of Mahmoud Abbas’ office, Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim, he said:
“Our Martyrs are now among us after being in our hearts, in our minds, and in our veins. We did not forget them for a moment, we will never forget them, and we will always remain faithful to their vow… Oh brothers [Martyrs], your souls now hover above us and say to us: ‘Follow in our path, stick to the obligation that is incumbent upon us and we are sure that you will be fulfilling this obligation and following this path.’ May Allah have mercy on you. We ask Allah to gather you in the uppermost heaven, along with the prophets, the righteous, and the Martyrs.”
A second speech by PA Mufti Muhammad Hussein also glorified the terrorists. Hussein is the same mufti who, several months ago, publicly called for the genocide of Jews.
In his speech after the terrorists’ bodies were returned, the mufti said:
“Today we receive this elite group of Martyrs. Our people, headed by the Palestinian leadership, welcome these Martyrs with great honor… As we accompany these Martyrs to Heaven, we should be happy: By Allah’s will, we still have elite groups of Martyrs like these among us. We still have a generous leadership, and we still have a people that has never been sparing and will spare no sacrifice for this blessed land, for this homeland, for Jerusalem and the holy places, and for every inch of the pure land of beloved Palestine. Honored brothers, this is a great event: The souls of the noble Martyrs envelop us, and their souls tell us to follow in their path.”
