Fatah, the political party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, praised the three Palestinian men who killed an Israeli policewoman and seriously injured another in Jerusalem on Wednesday, calling them “role models” on its Facebook page.
Palestinian Media Watch reported on Thursday that Fatah posted a picture of the three assailants on the same day of the attack. The status accompanying the photo offered praise for the men:
“Those who carried out the self-sacrifice operation in occupied Jerusalem are Ahmad Abu Al-Rub, Ahmad Zakarneh, and Muhammad Kmeil from the village of Qabatiya in the Jenin district.
They were three men who competed with each other for [Martyrdom] death
Their feet were raised above the hangman’s neck
They became role models
Across the length and breadth of the homeland.”
In a broadcast on official PA television, the father of one of the assailants said that he received news of his son’s attack “with joy.”
“We received this with joy. He’s a Martyr. Our Creator chose him from among the people to be a Martyr. May Allah forgive [his sins]. We hope he will be among the people of Paradise, Allah willing. Praise Allah in any case.”
The three assailants launched an attack with automatic weapons, knives, and two explosive devices at Damascus Gate, outside Jerusalem’s Old City, on Wednesday. They shot and stabbed Israeli officer Hadar Cohen, 19, and seriously wounded another policewoman, before being killed. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate Cohen, but she succumbed to her wounds after a few hours. Authorities said her quick response helped avert a larger attack. “She saved her friends by immediately pulling the trigger,” said Cohen’s cousin during her funeral on Thursday. “We take comfort in knowing she died a hero.”
Ynet reported on Thursday that Abbas met with the families of several Palestinian terrorists, which he called “martyrs,” only hours after Cohen was killed.
According to Israel’s emergency medical service Magen David Adom, 31 people have been killed and over 300 wounded in more than 175 attacks since September 13.
[Photo: Israel Hatzolah / Twitter]