Israeli Leaders Condemn Abbas for Celebrating Release of Convicted Terrorist

The Released Terrorist Was Meant to Serve Over 100 Years in Prison
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, provoked outrage among Israeli officials after calling convicted terrorist Yasser Abu Bakr to celebrate his early release as part of the recent hostage exchange. Abu Bakr, a senior member of the Fatah-affiliated Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, had been serving a 115-year sentence for orchestrating several deadly terror attacks. Among his crimes were the bombing in Netanya in March 2002, which claimed the lives of Israel Yahia OBM and nine-month-old Avia Malka OBM, and the murder of police officer Konstantin Danilov OBM.

In his message of congratulations to Abu Bakr, Abbas reignited longstanding criticism of the Palestinian Authority’s role in fostering terrorism. Israeli leaders, already sceptical of Abbas’s intentions, responded with sharp condemnation, asserting that his actions reinforce the PA’s support for violence and undermine any possibility of partnership.

As the prophet Ezekiel warned, corrupt systems and leaders who celebrate violence bring destruction upon themselves: “Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.” – Ezekiel 22:27. Yet, God assures that such evil will not go unanswered, declaring, “I will repay them for their conduct.” – Ezekiel 22:31. This serves as a powerful reminder that no government or leadership that upholds terror can escape divine justice.

“Abu Mazen Cannot Be a Partner to Any Process”
Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, described Abbas as a “Holocaust denier” and a supporter of terrorism. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lieberman wrote: “Anyone who embraces terrorists with blood on their hands is a terrorist themselves and cannot be a partner to any process, let alone supervise the Rafah Crossing.”

“An Enemy and Terror Supporter Then and Now”
Knesset Member Bezalel Smotrich went further, declaring the Palestinian Authority to be inseparable from Hamas. “Mahmoud Abbas has always been and remains an enemy, a supporter of terror, and an encourager of terrorism,” Smotrich wrote. “The authority he leads is a terrorist organization, not a ‘partner’ for anything. His phone call tonight to a murderer of Jews is a wake-up call to those who still delude themselves about the PA as an alternative to Hamas in Gaza after the war. Not in Gaza and not in Judea and Samaria.”

“It’s Time to Change the System”
Itamar Ben-Gvir, a former minister, criticized the broader implications of the hostage deal, arguing that it undermines Israel’s position. “You release thousands of murderers and terrorists. You stop the war in Gaza. You withdraw from Netzarim and the northern Gaza Strip. You hand bulldozers over to Hamas. And of course, don’t forget to tell us they’re deterred. It’s time to change the system,” he wrote.