|
|
| Suicide terror & Shahada |
People who see life as the supreme value have difficulty understanding the mind of the suicide terrorist. Why were so many Palestinians willing and eager to kill themselves in terror attacks against Israel?
In order to create willingness among the population to confront Israel violently, the PA took advantage of the ancient tradition in Islam, Shahada or Death for Allah, which mandates Muslims to aspire to die in combat for Islam. The PA told their people that this ancient tradition also applies to them in confrontation with Israel today.
This indoctrination began shortly after the start of the PA terror campaign (the "Intifada," 2000-2005) and continues today. The PA promotes Shahada as a mandatory religious Islamic duty, both for adults and children, promising great rewards. |
|
| Shahada (Death for Allah) promotion |
| Since 2000, the promotion of Shahada has been carried out by the Palestinian Authority through all the structures under its control, including media, school system, religion, culture, music and sports. Religious leaders have taught adults that Islam demands they seek death, while music videos have taught children that Shahada death “is sweet.” Shahada promotion still continues today. |
|
|
|
|
|
1- Motivating suicide terror and Shahada
|
|
|
|
In order to create willingness among the population to confront Israel violently, the PA presents Shahada - Death for Allah - as a religious Islamic obligation. This indoctrination began shortly after the start of the PA terror campaign (the "Intifada," 2000-2005).
Palestinians are told that Allah desires all of them – men, women and children – to seek death as martyrs, and that it is a privilege to be worthy of dying for Allah. One cleric even warned that if they didn’t seek Death for Allah their Muslim faith was deficient:
Ahmed Abdel Razek, PA Cleric:
“The believer was created to know his Lord - to follow Islam… to be a Shahid (Martyr) or intend to be one. If the believer doesn't hope for Shahada (Death for Allah), he will die a Jahiliya death (without faith). We must aim for Shahada and request it from Allah. If we truthfully ask for it, [Allah] will grant us its rewards, even if we die in bed.”
[PA TV, March 22, 2002]
|
|
Father offers his son's blood to Palestine in PA TV song (version 3)
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), Apr. 11, 2013
|
Singer Mustafa Khatib: "Like the olive tree that remains upon this land - I remain... Take my blood, [Palestine], and if you need more, take the rest of the blood from my son - [add it] to the bill."
Click to view video |
|
|
|
|
|
PA minister: "Victory or Shahada (Martyrdom-death). There is no third option"
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), Dec. 21, 2012
|
PA TV broadcast the Friday sermon delivered by PA Minister for Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash at the Tashrifat Mosque in the PA presidential compound, Ramallah on Dec. 21, 2012. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the Secretary General of his office, Al-Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim, were in the congregation.
Habbash: “We say to the whole world, we say to the occupation government, to whoever supports the occupation government to whoever defends the occupation government in international forums: As Allah lives, we are continuing what we do; we are continuing our Ribat (religious conflict to defend Islamic land). We are continuing our Jihad. We are continuing with our resolve. We are continuing to hold on, until Allah grants us victory, until Allah grants victory to our cause, until our Jerusalem is returned to us, until our state is established, or until we die. As Allah lives, this is one of two good things: Victory or Shahada (Martyrdom death for Allah). There is no third option. Either victory or Martyrdom death.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poem recited on PA TV: We love Martyrdom death for Allah
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), Dec. 13, 2012
|
“It cannot be that the mighty stone in the mountains of my land will soften
And the eyes of the fighter will doze off and not see the occupation army.
We love Martyrdom (Shahada, dying for Allah) and it is the power for determination and will.
Before the Front (possibly a reference to the terror organization the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, PFLP) all my land gives evidence of our victory.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Song at Hamas event broadcast on PA TV: "Strap on your [explosive] belt, Martyrdom-death seeker"
|
|
Source:
PA TV Live, Dec. 13, 2012
|
Live broadcast from Nablus of Hamas celebrations of its 25th anniversary. The following song was played during the event:
“Strap on your [explosive] belt, Shahada (i.e., Martyrdom death) seeker,
And fill the square with blood
‘Till we bring back the soil of my land
Let everyone rejoice!
We will shout out: ‘The [Al-Qassam] Brigades!’
Best of them all: ‘The [Al-Qassam ] Brigades!’”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Song on PA radio: "We strapped ourselves with explosives... and praised [Allah] for the Martyrdom"
|
|
Source:
Radio Voice of Palestine (Fatah), Dec. 1, 2012
|
Introductory narration of song:
"We have accepted [our] death, so that Jerusalem will return
We are bombs, friends, when the homeland calls
My heart, with fury, exploded and scattered
The shrapnel of this life flew, and the enemies were beheaded
Grieve not, Mother, shed no tears over my torn flesh
Gather [my] bones, Mother, return them to the earth...
Allah Akbar (Allah is Greater)!
If you summon: 'Come to self-sacrifice'
You will meet heroic men who mock death..."
Palestinian singer, Abu Arab:
"We praised the Lord, and set out for Martyrdom
We strapped ourselves with explosives, and trusted in Allah
Carry the load, heroes, show disaster to the settler
Neither day nor night will be sweet for him – until he leaves us
Raise your fire. Raise! Burn the settler with it
For the sake of Jerusalem and our holy place
We strapped ourselves with explosives
We trusted in [Allah] the Merciful and praised Him for the Martyrdom
Onward, onward, men, on the roads to glory
We praised the Lord, and set out for Martyrdom
We strapped ourselves with explosives, and trusted in Allah"
Click to listen
Click to view bulletin |
|
|
|
|
|
Father offers his son's blood to Palestine in PA TV song (version 2)
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), Dec. 1, 2012
|
Singer Mustafa Khatib sings over the phone: "Like the olive tree that remains upon this land - I remain... Take my blood, [Palestine], and if you need more, take the rest of the blood from my son - [add it] to the bill."
Click to view video |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2- Motivating children to seek death
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martyrdom-death for Palestinian youth glorified on PA TV News
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), Nov. 23, 2012
|
PA TV News reports on a demonstration in Ramallah protesting Israel’s security fence and the killing of Rushdi Al-Tamimi. Rushdi Al-Tamimi was shot during a violent demonstration of young Palestinians throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers. He later died of his wounds. Al-Tamimi’s brother was at the protest, and said:
“We are grateful to Allah for Shahada (Martyrdom death for Allah). All Palestine and its young people are potential Martyrs (Shahids).” |
|
|
|
|
|
Mother places suicide belt on child, on Facebook page for Fatah in Lebanon
|
|
Source:
Fatah's Facebook page, Sept. 3, 2012
|
 "My mother dressed me in a strange belt (i.e., a suicide belt).
I asked her: 'What is this, mother?'
She said: 'I will put it on you and you will go to your death!'
I said to her: 'Mother, what have I done that you want me to die?'
She shed a tear that hurt my heart and said: 'The homeland needs you, son. Go and blow up the sons of Zion.'
I said to her: 'Why me and not you?'
She said: 'I will stay in order to give birth to more children for the sake of Palestine.'
I kissed her hand and said to her: 'Keep it up, mother, for you and for Palestine I will kill the impure and the damned.'"
Click to view bulletin
Note: The picture was posted on Facebook on Sept. 3, 2012. The Facebook page states that it is "the official page of Fatah's Information and Culture Commission in Lebanon," and is linked to from the official website of the Fatah Information and Culture Commission (www.fatehmedia.ps). |
|
|
|
|
|
Song directs children to violence and Martyrdom-death
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), Feb. 24, 2012
|
"Don't cry, Palestine, stand tall for your heroes. Let the cowards [Israel] see that your kids didn't surrender to fear in the midst of horror. Oh children of the stones, teach the sinners [Israel] that shooting doesn't scare you, that your dignity is preserved, and that death for the sake of the country is not terror.
Terror is the occupier and his helpers, not those who saw and tasted death but were not humiliated, and not the child who nurses fear and expulsion, yet surrenders not. He vows that when he grows up, he will follow the same path. Don't be sad, oh great nation, Allah is with you. Don't be sad with Allah's help."
Click to view video |
|
|
|
|
|
Palestinian kids are "created to be fertilizer for land of Palestine, to saturate land with their blood"
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), Jan. 24, 2012
|
|
PA TV narrator: "In the refugee camp Ein Al-Hilwe [in Lebanon], a rally was held in celebration of the [47th] anniversary [of Fatah]. A political symposium was also held on the occasion of the event."
Text on slide at event:
"Our children are our honor and glory,
they were created to be fertilizer for the land of Palestine,
and for our pure land to be saturated with their blood."
Click to view video
Click to view bulletin |
|
|
|
|
|
PA leaders applaud kids singing "I shall saturate you with my blood, redeem you with my life"
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), Jan. 5, 2012
|
Song performed by children at an event marking the 47th anniversary of the Fatah movement:
"How beautiful you are, my country
The love in my heart for you is great
You have brought up and educated
generation after generation,
You waited patiently and discovered your heroic children
Oh, my pure land, I shall saturate you with my blood
I shall live and die upon your green ground
Your ground satiates us, your goodness satisfies us
I shall redeem you with my life, oh my land
Your embrace warms us
Your ground satiates us, your goodness satisfies us
I shall redeem you with my life, oh my land
Your embrace warms us"
(emphasis added)
Click to view video
Click to view bulletin
Note: Present at the ceremony: Prime Minister Salam Fayyad; Secretary General of the Presidential Office, Al-Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim; Secretary of the PLO Executive Council, Yasser Abd Rabbo; District Governor of Ramallah and El-Bireh Laila Ghannam; Fatah spokesman Ahmed Assaf.
Applause by PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Secretary General of the President's office Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim and PLO Secretary General Yasser Abd Rabbo. |
|
|
|
|
|
Girl sings Intifada song about the "Martyr who loved death," PA TV host prefers song about life
|
|
Source:
Palestinian TV (Fatah), July 25, 2011
|
Girl: "I am the voice of the Intifada, and no voice is louder than mine;
I am the last will of the Martyr
who loved death upon the soil of the homeland.
My voice refuses to be silent.
I am the sister of the one
who adorned herself and girded herself with death.
I am the voice of the stone and the tree, the bleeding wounded."
After interviewing other children, the host turned to the girl a second time and asked her to sing a different song:
PA TV host: "Bravo, our friend Bara'a; that was a beautiful song.
We want to hear a song full of life and vitality, because we want to live. We want a beautiful life, we want always to call for all that adorns our life. We want to forget about death for a little while and distance ourselves far from death."
Click to view video
Click to view bulletin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3- "Enemies seek life, you seek death"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hamas TV to Israelis: We "love death more than you love life"
|
|
Source:
Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), Nov. 18, 2012
|
On Nov. 14, 2012, Israel launched an aerial offensive in the Gaza Strip called Operation Pillar of Defense, with the aim of crippling the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza and protecting Israeli civilians from Hamas rocket fire. Hamas released this video as part of their campaign to scare Israeli soldiers:
"From the Al-Qassam Brigades to the Zionist soldiers: The Al-Qassam Brigades love death more than you love life."
Click to view video
Click to view bulletin |
|
|
|
|
|
Hamas spokesman: We are not afraid of Israel because we love death
|
|
Source:
Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), Nov. 18, 2012
|
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri: "You [Israel] think that we will be afraid of your killing policy and of these threats. We say to you: This policy is futile when dealing with leaders like Hamas leaders. Hamas leaders seek Martyrdom. You scare us with what we love (death). The commander, the great Martyr Al-Ja’abari, achieved his greatest aspirations (when killed by Israel)."
Click to view video
Click to view bulletin
Note: Ahmed Al-Ja'abari was the head of Hamas' military wing. He was killed by Israel on Nov. 14, 2012, as part of Israel's Operation Pillar of Defense, aimed at crippling the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. |
|
|
|
|
|
Schoolbook: "Your enemies seek life while you seek death"
|
|
Source:
Reading and Texts Part II, Grade 8, Jan. 1, 2010
|
PA schoolbook:
“O heroes, Allah has promised you victory... Don't talk yourselves into flight… Your enemies seek life while you seek death. They seek spoils to fill their empty stomachs while you seek a Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth... Death is not bitter in the mouth of the believers. These drops of blood that gush from your bodies will be transformed tomorrow into blazing red meteors that will fall down upon the heads of your enemies."
[Reading and Texts Part II, Grade 8, p. 16]
Note: This schoolbook has been in use since 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
Schoolbook: Rush to a Martyr's death
|
|
Source:
Our Beautiful Language for 6th grade, Jan. 1, 2010
|
PA schoolbook:
The Shahid (The Martyr)
 “I shall carry my soul in my palm and toss it into the abyss of destruction...
And then, either life, gladdening friends, or death, enraging the enemies.
By your life! I see my death, but I hasten my steps towards it...
By your life! This is the death of men.
And who asks for a noble death - here it is…”
Our Beautiful Language for 6th grade, section 1, p. 47;
Our Beautiful Language for 7th grade, section 1, p. 97.
Note: This schoolbook has been in use since 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
Hamas using Palestinians as human shields: "We desire Death as you desire Life"
|
|
Source:
Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), Feb. 29, 2008
|
Hamas member of Palestinian Parliament (Legislative Council), Fathi Hammad:
"For the Palestinian people death became an industry at which women excel and so do all people on this land: the elderly excel, the Jihad fighters excel, and the children excel. Accordingly [Palestinians] created a human shield of women, children, the elderly and the Jihad fighters against the Zionist bombing machine, as if they were saying to the Zionist enemy: We desire Death, as you desire Life." Click to view video |
|
|
|
|
|
Hamas "loves death like our enemies love life"
|
|
Source:
Hamas website, Dec. 12, 2005
|
Raed Sa’ad, Hamas Military Commander:
"We succeeded, with Allah's grace, to raise an ideological generation that loves death like our enemies love life. We will not abandon the way of Jihad and Shahada [Martyrdom] as long as one inch of our holy land is in the hands of the Jews." Click here to view |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4- Honoring Shahids as role-models
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fatah Facebook page celebrates suicide bomber who killed 4 as “hero”
|
|
Source:
Fatah's Facebook page, Mar. 30, 2013
|
 Page administrator: "Anniversary of Ahmed Masharqa's Martyrdom death.
On March 30, 2006, the Martyr infiltrated the Kedumim settlement, located on Nablus' lands, with an explosive belt. He caused the death of five Zionists and wounded many."
Caption on picture:
"The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades - Fatah's military wing/ Southern region
Proudly announce the death of their hero Martyr Ahmed Mahmoud Ahmed Al-Masharqa."
"Hero of the Kedumim settlement operation (i.e., suicide attack) who answered the call of justice and the shout of duty when the land called to him"
"A short summary of the Martyr's life:
-The Martyr was born on July 24,1982, in the Al-Burj village in the Dura sub-district.
-Joined the Fatah movement's ranks in 2000.
-Took part in military operations and joined the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in the beginning of the glorious Al-Aqsa intifada.
-Died a Martyr on March 30, 2006, on the eternal [Palestinian] Land Day, and became the first to give the new Israeli government the message that we are committed to Arafat's promise."
Click to view bulletin
Note: Ahmed Masharqa – suicide terrorist who killed four Israelis in 2006. He dressed up as a religious Jew, hitchhiked to the Israeli town of Kedumim, and blew himself up inside the car that gave him a lift. |
|
|
|
|
|
Fatah Facebook page calls suicide terrorist “hero” on anniversary of her attack
|
|
Source:
Fatah's Facebook page, Mar. 29, 2013
|
 Page administrator: "Today is the 11th anniversary of Ayyat Al-Akhras' Martyrdom death, resident of the Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem, 17 year-old who blew herself up in a shopping center in Jerusalem. In her operation, Ayyat - who should have worn a wedding dress - put on the Palestinian keffiyeh and army uniform."
Caption on picture:
"The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades,
the military wing of the Fatah movement"
"Committed to the promise"
"Hero Martyrdom-Seeker, Ayyat Al-Akhras."
Click to view bulletin
Note: Ayyat Al-Akhras – At the age of 17, she became the youngest female Palestinian suicide bomber. She killed 2 Israelis in a suicide bombing near a Jerusalem supermarket on March 29, 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
Fatah Facebook page: Suicide bomber who killed 3 is a “bride” and her attack “heroic”
|
|
Source:
Fatah's Facebook page, Mar. 29, 2013
|
 Page administrator: "Rest in peace sister Martyr (Shahida) Ayyat Al-Akhras"
Caption on picture: "And the martyrs with their Lord, they shall have their reward and their light." (Quran part of Sura 57:19, translation Muhsin Khan)
"Bride in a Martyrdom (Shahada) dress, Ayyat Al-Akhras, who carried out the heroic operation (i.e., the suicide attack) in Jerusalem on March 29, 2002"
Click to view bulletin
Note: Ayyat Al-Akhras – At the age of 17, she became the youngest female Palestinian suicide bomber. She killed 2 Israelis in a suicide bombing near a Jerusalem supermarket on March 29, 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
Fatah Facebook page glorifies suicide bomber as “bride of Palestine” on anniversary of her attack
|
|
Source:
Fatah's Facebook page, Mar. 29, 2013
|
 Page administrator:"The 11th anniversary of the Bride of Palestine, Ayyat Al-Akhras' Martyrdom death"
Caption on picture:
"11th anniversary, March 29, 2013
Ayyat, we are committed to your promise
We are committed to the promise of freedom, oh Bride of Palestine, Ayyat Al-Akhras."
Click to view bulletin
Note: Ayyat Al-Akhras – At the age of 17, she became the youngest female Palestinian suicide bomber. She killed 2 Israelis in a suicide bombing near a Jerusalem supermarket on March 29, 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
Fatah’s Facebook page honors murderer of 3 on anniversary of her attack
|
|
Source:
Fatah's Facebook page, Mar. 28, 2013
|
 Page administrator: "Tomorrow, Friday, March 29, 2013, will mark the 11th anniversary of the Martyrdom death of hero female Martyrdom-Seeker Ayyat Al-Akhras who carried out a Martyrdom-Seeking operation (i.e., suicide bombing) in occupied Jerusalem."
Caption on picture: "And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision." (Quran, Sura 3:169, translation Sahih International)
"11th anniversary of Martyrdom-Seeker
Ayyat Al-Akhras' Martyrdom death."
Click to view bulletin
Note: Ayyat Al-Akhras – At the age of 17, she became the youngest female Palestinian suicide bomber. She killed 2 Israelis in a suicide bombing near a Jerusalem supermarket on March 29, 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
Fatah honors suicide bomber who killed one and injured more than 100 on its official Facebook page
|
|
Source:
Fatah's Facebook page, Jan. 27, 2013
|
Picture of Wafa Idris posted on Fatah's Facebook page with the following description:
 "The 11th anniversary of Wafa Idris' death as a Martyr... She resists and struggles for her freedom and the freedom of her children, her people and her homeland, and she raises the banner of Jihad in order to live with honor...
This is the hero whose name the Zionists will remember well, and so will Palestinians; the hero who sacrificed herself and her body for Palestine and became a symbol of the struggle and of Palestinian loyalty through one of the most honorable Martyrdom-seeking operations in recent years, which surprised the Zionist enemy and [a symbol of] the self-sacrifice of lovely Palestinian girls for the sake of their homeland. Years have passed since that day, and the name of Wafa Idris is still a lesson that terrifies the Jews.
At least 2,000 Palestinians participated in the symbolic funeral of the first female Martyrdom-seeker who blew herself up in Israel... Participants called 'Wafa is a hero' while armed men fired in the air to salute Wafa.
Wafa's mother said that she is proud of her daughter, and hopes that more girls will follow in her footsteps. Wafa - the beautiful flower who, through her Martyrdom-seeking operation, turned upside down Israeli security considerations that had focused on observing young Palestinian men only."
Click to view bulletin
Note: Wafa Idris was the first Palestinian female suicide bomber. She killed one and injured over 100 in her attack in central Jerusalem in 2002. As a volunteer for the Palestinian Red Crescent, she was able to bypass Israeli security and enter Jerusalem in a Palestinian ambulance. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
