April 16, 2007.
The Palestinian Authority leadership, headed by Fatah chairman Mahmoud
Abbas (Abu Mazen), has granted a special award – the “Sign of Heroism” – to
two female terrorists imprisoned in Israel. One of them was involved in one of
the most infamous terrorist attacks in Israeli history: the Sbarro’s pizzeria
suicide bombing.
On August 9, 2001, an Arab terrorist walked into the busy pizzeria at the
busiest intersection in Jerusalem, and detonated his charge, murdering 15
Jews. Among them were eight victims between the ages of 18 months and 19
years, as well as five members of one family, the Schijveschuurders of Neriah in
the Binyamin region.
Abbas granted the “Sign of Heroism” award to the woman terrorist who helped
direct the murderer to the target.
Abbas also granted an award to a woman who actively enticed an Israeli
teenager over the internet. When she and the boy made up to meet, the boy
was kidnapped at the rendezvous site near Ramallah and murdered by Arab
terrorists.
The two female terrorists were given the awards for their heroic acts “on behalf
of the Palestinian people,” according to reports in the Palestinian Authority
media.
MK Gideon Saar, the Likud Knesset faction chairman, said in response, “This is
an additional proof of the true stance of Abu Mazen. Israel must call off all
diplomatic talks with the Palestinian Authority under his leadership.”
“We should not be expected to encourage and praise those who praise
our murderers,” Saar said. “Abbas makes sure to create for himself in the West
an image of one who is moderate, while his true character is revealed among
his own people. The government of Israel must wake up and respond
appropriately, instead of granting him armored cars and removing checkpoints.”
Fatah, the military wing of what is popularly perceived as the “moderates” of
the Palestinian Authority, has been responsible for a long list of deadly terrorist
attacks against Israel, including bombings and shootings.
