Great News: Abbas Offers "Terrorists' Comp" For Families

Everyone's favorite Moderate™ Arab leader, Mahmoud Abbas, is giving money to the surviving family of a terrorist:

Abbas gives terrorist's family $2000

Earlier this month a Palestinian terrorist attempted to attack an Israeli checkpoint. Carrying two pipe bombs, he ran towards the Israeli soldiers, screaming "Allahu Akbar" - "Allah is Greater" - and was shot and killed before he could detonate the bombs.

Yesterday Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas granted "the relatives of the Shahid" $2000:

"The governor of the Jenin district, Kadura Musa, has awarded a presidential grant to the family of the Shahid (Martyr), Khaldoun Najib Samoudy, during a visit that took place yesterday in the village of Al-Yamoun. The governor noted that the grant is financial aid in the amount of $2000 that the President [Mahmoud Abbas] is awarding to the relatives of the Shahid, who was recently killed as a Martyr at the Hamra checkpoint by the Israeli occupation forces."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida (Fatah) Jan. 25, 2011]

This problem--the Palestinian Authority abusing donated funds that will directly or indirectly encourage more terrorists attacks--is not something new.

Already back in 2006, the issue was raised of European funds being used as an insurance policy for Palestinian terrorists in Israeli prisons:

The Funding for Peace Coalition reported that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has used tens of millions of dollars annually from its internationally funded budgets to provide salaries and other financial benefits to convicted terrorist held in Israeli jails. This "insurance scheme" provides captured terrorists with an opportunity to leave jail with a small nest-egg. It also secures employment in the Palestinian hierarchy, improved education and a pension from the PA.

The benefits of the "career path" afforded by a stay in an Israeli prison have not been lost on Palestinian youth. There are consistent reports of a growing phenomenon, where Palestinian teenagers deliberately approach Israeli military checkpoints, pretending to be terrorists. The intention? The hope of being captured and incarcerated in an Israeli jail, leading to financial security and an assured livelihood.

Palestinian social workers have expressed concern for the well being of these youth and of their society. The Israeli military are also uneasy. These youngsters put their lives in danger, forcing soldiers to make a split-second distinction between a youngster behaving as a terrorist and the real thing.

Similarly, any indication by Abbas and the Palestinian Authority that not only do they not condemn terrorist attacks but that they will also look after the families of terrorists--sends a message that will only encourage more of the same.

This is not something Abbas is suddenly doing to save face in response to the unrest in Tunisia or backlash from the Palestine Papers--Abbas and the Palestinian Authority have consistently been responsible for the incitement of hatred against Israel and now gives the message that acting on that hatred has Abbas's stamp of approval.

The silence of the US and the EU sends its own message as well.

Hat tip: DF

Technorati Tag: Palestinian Terrorism.