Following the opening of the Jerusalem tunnels, former PA Chairman Yasser Arafat gives a speech on official Palestinian Authority TV inciting Palestinians to violence and glorifying Martyrdom for Allah. Arafat encourages Palestinians to die as Martyrs while killing Israelis, citing a verse from the Quran that reads “they shall fight in the way of Allah, and shall kill and be killed.” He further motivates Martyrdom-death by saying that “Paradise will be theirs.” The day after Arafat delivered this speech, dozens of people were killed in Palestinian Authority-initiated violence.
Transcript:
Yasser Arafat: “[Quran:] Allah bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because Paradise will be theirs: They shall fight in the way of Allah, and shall kill and be killed.”
My righteous brothers, our righteous Martyrs, rest in peace, because our blood is cheap compared to the goal which joined us together and has separated us for a while. But we shall meet soon [as Martyrs], Allah willing, in the highest place in Heaven.”
[Official Palestinian Authority TV, Oct. 24, 1996]
