Abbas’ response to terror in Russia highlights his hypocrisy and lies

PA lie: “[Abbas] opposes terror regardless of its source”

Abbas’ response to ISIS attack in Russia killing 137:

• “The [PA] presidential office strongly condemned the terror attack … in Moscow”
• “President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his condolences to [Russian] President Vladimir Putin”

Abbas’ response to Palestinian attack on Oct. 7 killing 1163 

• “President [Abbas] … emphasized the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense.”

[WAFA, official PA news agency, Oct. 7, 2023]  

• Abbas’ Advisor, Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “From President Mahmoud Abbas to the last of the people in the Palestinian leadership – has anyone heard from us one word against the Hamas Movement or against any Palestinian?” Interviewer: “No."

[Mahmoud Al-Habbash, Facebook page, Nov. 6, 2023]  

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas continued his hypocritical attitude towards terror by continuing his strong condemnation of terror everywhere in the world, except when Palestinians murder Israelis.

Following the October 7 Palestinian terror atrocities in southern Israel, Mahmoud Abbas announced that Hamas’ murder, torture, and rape of Israelis was self-defense:

“President [Abbas] instructed to provide defense to our people, and he emphasized the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense facing the terror of the settlers and the occupation forces.”

[WAFA, official PA news agency, Oct. 7, 2023]

Following the ISIS terror attack in Moscow on Friday, Abbas issued a very strong condemnation of terror:

“The [PA] presidential office strongly condemned the terror attack that took place yesterday evening, Friday [March 22, 2024] in Moscow, the capital of Russia, which left dozens dead and wounded (i.e., ISIS attack at a concert hall, 137 killed). The presidential office emphasized its solidarity, its stand alongside the Russia leadership and the friendly Russian people, and its desire for the stability of the situation in the Russian Federation.

[PA] President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his condolences to [Russian] President Vladimir Putin, the Russian people, and the families of the victims. He wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.

The presidential office emphasized once again its confidence in the Russian leadership and its ability to overcome this disaster and provide security and stability in the Russian Federation. It reemphasized the president’s position, which opposes terror regardless of its source.”

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 23, 2024]

Considering that Abbas presented the Hamas’ terror atrocities of October 7 as self-defense, his statement that he “opposes terror regardless of its source” must be understood. According to Mahmoud Abbas and fundamental PA ideology, there is no such thing as Palestinian terror. Palestinians, according to Abbas, have the right to kill any man, woman, or child in Israel and it will never be terror. Ever since Israel’s existence, Palestinians have the right to “resist” and killing women and children is part of the way that Palestinian Authority defines “resistance.”

Those who think there is any difference in attitude towards terror between the PA and Hamas have no understanding of the Palestinian Authority.