The leading American newspaper, the Wall Street Journal, attacks US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Biden for their pressure on Israel to allow the Palestinian Authority to control Gaza.
Blinken: "Israel cannot manage the Gaza Strip" (archive) // Reuters
In an editorial published this morning, the newspaper wrote that the Palestinian Authority announced its intention to pay terror allowances to all Gaza residents killed during the war, including Hamas terrorists. In addition, the PA intends to reward 3,550 Arab suspects whom Israel has arrested, including 661 Hamas terrorists from Gaza.
The newspaper notes that these payments are made in accordance with Palestinian Authority law and that the number of fatalities in Gaza is determined by figures provided by Hamas' "Ministry of Health" in Gaza. "Itamar Marcus of Palestinian Media Watch explains that the Palestinian Authority makes no distinction between Hamas terrorists who committed atrocities after invading Israel on October 7, Hamas terrorists killed by Israel in the subsequent war, and non-combatant civilians killed in Gaza while serving as human shields by Hamas," the newspaper writes.
After explaining the background, the editors ask, "Meanwhile, in Ramallah, Blinken said that PA leader Ibn Mazen is 'committed' to reform. Where is the proof of its existence? His four-year term is entering its 20th year. Even when the PA complains of a budget crunch, it intends to move from glorifying the October 7 attack to compensating its participants. Why, once again, does President Biden insist that Israel hand over Gaza after the war to this group? Mr. Blinken also talks prematurely about statehood. No wonder the Palestinian Authority sees no reason to change."
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