Since the massacre of Hamas terrorists on 7 October, the Palestinian Authority, with all its branches and representatives, has mobilized in a large-scale campaign against Israel.
Netanyahu: "We will not allow anyone who runs the civilian government in Gaza to deny terrorism and educate his children about terrorism" // GPO
As part of this campaign, PA media outlets, including Palestinian TV and the Voice of Palestine radio station, broadcast on open wave what they call "Israel's war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip." The one leading these propaganda moves is Abu Mazen himself.
In a series of statements since the terrorist attack, he has missed no opportunity to hold Israel fully responsible for the war, completely ignoring Hamas and the crimes committed by its members against Israeli civilians, families, women and children.
The furthest he was willing to go was on the eve of his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, when he said he opposed killing civilians on both sides. A few weeks ago he deviated from his custom and issued a statement claiming that "Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people." A few minutes later, this quote disappeared and was completely erased. The removal of the announcement shows that he is well aware of the sentiments of the Palestinian public and does not want to protest against it.
Mahmoud Abbas: "Anyone who thinks he will establish peace in the Middle East without the Palestinian people gaining recognition is mistaken" // Reuters
Just this past weekend, a new public opinion poll was published, indicating that more than 80 per cent of the Palestinian public supports the massacre, Hamas and other terrorist organizations. This may be one of the reasons why Abbas refrained from condemning Hamas, but in the test of results he once again stuck a goal and showed Israel and the world that he must not be trusted.
As the fighting in Gaza progresses, the tone of the Palestinian Authority leadership escalates. The campaign moved from condemnation of Israel to denial, with the Foreign Ministry in Ramallah denying the massacres carried out by Hamas. Even worse, the Palestinian side echoes the false version and denial of the massacre voiced by Hamas leaders a few days after the massacre, according to which "most of the victims were killed by Israeli security forces."
One of the photos that appeared in the investigation into the October 7 massacre, photo: AP
The world will have to do thinking
It is not inconceivable that these harsh statements came in response to the harsh criticism directed at the PA leadership for "doing nothing for its people in the West Bank and Gaza." Ironically, the smear campaign against Israel coincides with President Biden's statement that it is the Palestinian Authority that should run Gaza after the war.
It would not be far-fetched to assume that in light of the incitement emanating from Ramallah against Israel, the Europeans and Americans will have to reconsider their pro-PA position. Moreover, the statements made by members of the Fatah leadership and the behavior of the Palestinian leadership only confirm Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement that the PA, in its current form, cannot play a role in managing Gaza.
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