Mahmoud Abbas, the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, called Yasser Abu Bakr, one of the recently released terrorists, to congratulate him on his release. Abu Bakr, a member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, had been imprisoned for 23 years after being sentenced to 115 years for orchestrating attacks in 2002.
Abu Bakr was responsible for the deadly attack in Netanya in March 2002, which resulted in the deaths of Israel Yahi and nine-month-old Aviah Malka. He was also behind the killing of police officer Konstantin Danilov in a clash with terrorists near Baqa al-Gharbiyye during the same month and had planned a suicide bombing at the Tel Hashomer Medical Center.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded sharply, stating, “He is a perpetual supporter and encourager of terrorism, and the Palestinian Authority, which he heads, remains a terrorist organization, not a partner for anything. His phone call to a Jew-murderer is a wake-up call to those still dreaming of the PA as an alternative to Hamas in Gaza after the war. It will not happen. Not in Gaza, and not in Judea and Samaria.”
MK Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) also criticized the Palestinian Authority, saying, “You close your eyes to the Palestinian terror authority that rewards Jewish murderers and educates terrorism. Release thousands of murderers and terrorists. Stop the war in Gaza. Withdraw from Netzarim and the northern strip. Give bulldozers to Hamas. And of course, don’t forget to tell us they are deterred. It’s time to change the method.”
Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman condemned Abbas, calling him a Holocaust denier who “once again shows his true face – a terrorist supporter who congratulates despicable murderers. Anyone who embraces terrorists with blood on their hands is himself a terrorist and cannot be a partner in any move and certainly not supervise the Rafah Crossing.”
{Matzav.com Israel}