To: National and International desks
Contact: Juda Engelmayer of American Jewish Congress, 212-360-1540, 917-733-3561,
Jengelmayer@AJCongress.org
NEW YORK, Dec. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Jewish Congress today condemned a reported decision by the Palestinian Authority to offer financial support to the families of suicide bombers. Legislation to that effect was signed into law by P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas on Dec. 5. The report in the Arab press was confirmed to AJCongress by Ra'anan Gissin, spokesman for Prime Minister Sharon.
If this is an accurate report of legislation enacted by the P.A., it cannot be justified on moral grounds. Assuming this new tack is intended to lure voters away from Hamas in advance of P.A. legislative elections next month, it still cannot be justified. Hamas maintains a web of support services for families of suicide bombers. "Not everything is permissible in the name of winning elections, and this action in particular is obscene," said AJCongress President Paul S. Miller. At some point, Mr. Abbas proposes to win by losing, that is, to prevail in the vote by surrendering on his platform. "The attempt to pretend that such a victory is worth something is taking on a dangerous character and is a diplomatic farce," Miller continued.
"Rather than confront Hamas, Abbas is playing according to their rules," Miller said, "This latest move to emulate Hamas is testimony to the power of terrorism in Palestinian political culture." Miller added, "Not only did Abbas fail to disarm Hamas as a precondition for their participation in the political process, but the Palestinian 'leader' is following Hamas' example, rather than setting his own alternative path."
"To single out the families of suicide bombers as deserving of special attention is a slap in the face to all those who have suffered from the terrorist attacks these grants honor, including those who just died in the bombing in Netanya. It is also a slap in the face to all those who have placed their hopes in Mr. Abbas as a viable negotiating partner for Israel. Moreover, to the extent that providing the families of suicide bombers financial support encourages such bombing, this action makes the Palestinian Authority complicit in murder. "
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