Abu Mazen himself to honor Sbarro terrorist; Livni approves?

Proof, yet again, that Israel has no partner for peace in the Palestinians. The Palestinian President himself has chosen to award a medal to a woman involved in a suicide bombing of a Sbarro's Pizza in Israel. The attack killed 15 innocent civilians.

And, the Palestinian President celebrates that???

So, how can he, then, sit down at a negotiating table to talk peace with Israeli officials?

From Carl in Jerusalem:


This one sets a new standard for depravity. One week before he is due to meet President Bush in Washington, if this doesn't convince President Bush that 'moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen is not a 'peace partner,' nothing will.

The Al Kuds Mark of Honor, the PLO's highest medal, will be given to two female terrorists who helped kill Israelis, Israel Radio reported Wednesday.

Ahlam Tamimi [pictured. CiJ], a Hamas affiliate serving a life sentence for driving the suicide bomber who exploded himself in the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, killing at least half a dozen people [fifteen to be exact, plus one woman still in an apparently irreversible coma. CiJ], including a whole family and Amra Muna, who seduced [seventeen-year old. CiJ] Ophir Rahum over the Internet and then lured him to Ramallah where he was murdered, will both be awarded the medal.

Conferring the Al Kuds Mark of Honor is decided at the discretion of the Palestinian Authority's president, and he alone has the final say when choosing the Palestinians to be honored with the medal.

[Please read that sentence again - I want it to sink in. The award was determined by Abu Mazen and Abu Mazen alone. No excuses. CiJ]

Palestinian Minister for Prisoner Affairs Ashraf el Ajami told Israel Radio that his ministry gave PA President Mahmoud Abbas a comprehensive list of prisoners and his office chose the nominees from this list.

Ajami refused to confirm that the medal would be given to Tamimi and Muna, saying that he didn't want to "ruin the surprise" for the families attending the ceremony scheduled for Thursday.Abbas himself was en route to Russia and his staff refused to comment on the report.

And the reaction from Israel?

Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar said the report was "troubling and severe" news, but added that if the report were true, it would continue a recent history of doublespeak from Abbas, which, Sa'ar said, presented different Palestinian intentions and narratives when speaking to Arab crowds and when addressing Western diplomats.Sa'ar mentioned a recent article where Abbas - Israel's Palestinian peace partner - hinted that a return to armed struggle might be in the benefit of the Palestinian cause. Actually Saar had more to say than that, but JPost chose not to publish it.

Here's the rest.

MK Gideon Saar, the Likud Knesset faction chairman, said in response, "This is an additional proof of the true stance of Abu Mazen. Israel must call off all diplomatic talks with the Palestinian Authority under his leadership."

"We should not be expected to encourage and praise those who praise our murderers," Saar said. "Abbas makes sure to create for himself in the West an image of one who is moderate, while his true character is revealed among his own people. The government of Israel must wake up and respond appropriately, instead of granting him armored cars and removing checkpoints."But don't expect the despicable dhimmis running the Israeli government to 'respond appropriately:'

That the government of Israel does not agree with Saar was evidenced not only by its ongoing talks with Abbas and his representatives, but also by recent remarks by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Speaking at the Doha Forum in Qatar this week, Livni said that Israel is negotiating "with the pragmatic Palestinians, who recognize Israel's right to exist, who seek to realize their national rights but choose the path of peace over terrorism. With such partners, who support the two-state solution, peace can be attained. The conflict is solvable."

Analyst Dr. Aaron Lerner (IMRA) commented, "Once again, FM Livni tells the world that the PA leadership is simply fantastic - setting the stage for the world to blame Israel for any problems" that are likely to arise in the future.

God save us!