Terrorist who sent others to murder 3 gets BA degree in prison
- Despite Israeli ban on access to higher education for imprisoned terrorists, terrorist murderers earn BA and MA degrees
- Imprisoned terrorist murderers are part of the academic staff teaching fellow prisoners for their university degrees
- The PA Ministry of Higher Education and the PLO Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs are behind the study programs organized in cooperation with Palestinian universities
- PA Minister of Justice “approves certificates” for terrorist prisoners who took “course on international law and human rights”
Although Israel has cancelled their access to higher education (see below), imprisoned Palestinian terrorists continue to earn university degrees in prison.
Lately, terrorist Iyad Masalmeh, who is serving 4 life sentences for sending and directing other terrorists to a shooting attack in which they murdered 3 Israelis, including a pregnant woman, has earned a bachelor’s degree in social work:
Official PA TV host: “What characterizes Iyad [Masalmeh]?”
Brother of terrorist Iyad Masalmeh: “Iyad is a man who loves everyone, helps everyone in prison... He is beloved among the prisoners, everyone loves him. He spends his time studying, and praise Allah he has now completed a bachelor’s degreein social work in prison.”
Host: “This [studying] is also defiance carried out by the prisoners [against the occupation].”
[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Feb. 2, 2023]
Terrorist Bakr Abu Ubeid is serving 2 life sentences for transporting a suicide bomber into Israel where he murdered 2 Israelis, one of them a 15-year-old boy. Abu Ubeid has earned both a BA and an MA in prison:
“Prisoner Bakr Abu Ubeid… began his 21st year in the Israeli occupation’s prisons… While in captivity, Abu Ubeid achieved a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.”
[WAFA, official PA news agency, Jan. 23, 2023]
The university program for terrorist prisoners is organized and maintained by the PA Ministry of Higher Education and the PLO Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners’ Affairs in cooperation with a number of Palestinian universities, as Palestinian Media Watch has exposed. The two official institutions take great pride in the program and host graduation ceremonies at which relatives of the terrorist prisoner graduates receive their diplomas on their behalf. At one such ceremony, Director of the PLO Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs Qadri Abu Bakr stressed the extent of the program:
“Director of [PLO] Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners’ Affairs Qadri Abu Bakr [stated that] every year approximately 600 prisoners take the high school matriculation exams, and 800 prisoners also join various specializations. In recent years 783 prisoners succeeded in receiving a bachelor’s degree and 137 received a master’s degree.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Dec. 16, 2022]
The PA’s Minister of Justice also endorses the prison studies for terrorists. He approved certificates for terrorist prisoners who took a “course on international law and human rights”:
Official PA TV newsreader: “The Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights – the Hurryyat Association organized a class graduation ceremony for prisoners in Ramon Prison, after they completed a course on international law and human rights... The parents received the certificates of the prisoners... [who] completed 100 hours of training over six months.” …
Director of the Hurryyat Association Hilmi Al-A’araj: “The course lasted six months… 36 prisoners completed it...The [PA] Minister of Justice approved the certificates and the [PA] Ministry of Justice signed them.”
[Official PA TV News, Aug. 24, 2022]
PMW has documented how the university program works inside the prisons and bypasses the Israeli Prison Service and exposed that other convicted terrorists serve as academic staff and are teaching fellow prisoners for their university degrees. This practice was documented again when a released prisoner thanked his “lecturers” in prison by name, identifying 3 terrorists who were all involved in murder:
Released prisoner Raed Abu Atiq: “[For my academic studies] at Ramon Prison, I want to give my full thanks to my lecturers, lecturer Ahed Abu Gholmeh (i.e., terrorist, planned murder of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze’evi)... [I thank] lecturer brother Sa’id Shtayyeh (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 2), lecturer Maslama Thabet (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 2), and everyone who helped me during my studies. I especially thank the anonymous soldiers who helped bring in the master’s degree program of University of Palestine into Ramon Prison.”
[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Dec. 22, 2022]
Another released prisoner explained that a convicted murderer of 2 is “responsible for the studies” in the Ketziot prison in the Negev:
Released prisoner Abd Al-Salam Abu Muhsin: “[Al-Quds] University [in] Abu Dis is active in the Hadarim Prison, and Al-Quds Open University is active in all the prisons. In the Negev prison (i.e., Ketziot) brother Maslama Thabet (i.e., terrorist, murdered 2 together with accomplices)… is responsible for the studies there, and Allah Master of the Universe be praised, there are many prisoners studying for a master’s degree.”
[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Sept. 1, 2022]
Other terrorist prisoners have earned degrees in law, political science, economics or history.
Azmi Sahl Naffa, a 21-year-old Palestinian terrorist who is serving 20 years for committing a car ramming attack and wounding 4, studied law:
"Prisoner Azmi Sahl Naffa (i.e., terrorist, wounded 4) … has been imprisoned since Nov. 24, 2015, and is serving a 20-year sentence… He was arrested before completing his university studies and completed his studies in prison, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in law.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 25, 2022]
Terrorists Jum'a Adamand Mahmoud Abu Kharabishwho are serving life sentences for throwing a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli bus, murdering 4, including a mother and her 3 children have both earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree:
“The [PA-funded] Prisoners’ Club… explained that prisoner Abu Kharabish… completed high school studies in prison and also achieved a bachelor’s and master’s degree…
The Prisoners’ Club noted that Adam completed high school studies in prison, achieved a bachelor’s degree, and began to complete his master’s degree in political science.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 1, 2022]
Similarly, terrorist prisoner Muhammad Subhi Muhammad Abu Tabih who is serving 2 life sentences for sending a suicide bomber to an attack in which he murdered 2, has earned degrees in political science and economics and history:
“During the years of his imprisonment, prisoner Muhammad Subhi Muhammad Abu Tabih succeeded in doing a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics and a master’s degree in history, and also succeeded in learning English and Hebrew and publishing a book entitled ‘The Straight Path.’”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 29, 2022]
In 2006, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and held hostage for over five years, while Hamas demanded he be exchanged for terrorists including murderers in Israeli prisons. While the captive Israeli soldier was suffering in isolation, Palestinian terrorist prisoners enjoyed their many benefits – including access to higher education. In 2011, Israel decided to cancel many of these benefits, including cancelling their access to higher education. Appeals submitted by imprisoned terrorists were discussed at length, including in decisions of Israel's Supreme Court in 2012 and in 2015. The appeals were rejected after the courts ruled that the terrorists do not have a specific right to participate in higher education, and that the fact that they are categorized as “security prisoners” is sufficient to distinguish them from criminal prisoners, who are entitled to participate in higher education.
The following are more details about the terrorists mentioned above, longer excerpts of the statements cited, and additional reports on prisoners earning degrees:
Iyad Masalmeh, Mahmoud Masalmeh, Ahmed Masalmeh, and Ali Asafra
“Prisoner Bakr Abu Ubeid (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 2), 41, from Tulkarem, began his 21st year in the Israeli occupation’s prisons.
In a press release today, Monday [Jan. 23, 2023], the [PA-funded] Prisoners’ Club said that prisoner Abu Ubeid was arrested in 2003, and he underwent a severe and long interrogation. Later the occupation sentenced him to 2 life sentences.
While in captivity, Abu Ubeid achieved a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.”
[WAFA, official PA news agency, Jan. 23, 2023]
Headline: “The [PLO] Commission of Prisoners’ [Affairs] celebrated the graduation of a series of prisoners who obtained a master’s degree inside the occupation’s prisons”
“The [PLO] Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners’ Affairs, in participation with the [PA] Ministry of Higher Education and the University of Palestine in the Gaza Strip, celebrated the graduation of a series of prisoners who received a master’s degree inside the occupation’s prisons, as part of a ceremony held by these institutions yesterday morning, Thursday [Dec. 15, 2022], at the Abraj Al-Zahra Hall in El-Bireh.
During the ceremony, Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam congratulated the mothers of the prisoners and Martyrs, and foremost among them the heroic prisoner’s mother who is standing firm, Um Nasser Abu Hmeid (i.e., mother of terrorists responsible for at least 10 murders; see note below). She also congratulated the class of prisoners who achieved this degree, and she emphasized that the prisoners are proving every time that they are continuing with life despite the difficulties and are sowing persistence and defiance despite the chains.
Director of [PLO] Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners’ Affairs Qadri Abu Bakr spoke about the details of this educational experience, which 18 knights underwent from among the heroic prisoners in the fortress of [former PLO Chairman and PA President] Martyr Yasser Arafat in central Ramon Prison. They met the demands of the master’s degree from University of Palestine in the Gaza Strip, and thus defied the obstacles being placed before them by the Israeli Prison Service…
In his speech, he added that this achievement comes as part of a series of achievements made by the prisoners inside the prisons, as every year approximately 600 prisoners take the high school matriculation exams, and 800 prisoners also join various specializations. In recent years 783 prisoners succeeded in receiving a bachelor’s degree and 137 received a master’s degree.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Dec. 16, 2022]
Um Nasser Abu Hmeid (Um Yusuf Abu Hmeid/Latifa Abu Hmeid)
Released prisoner Raed Abu Atiq: “[For my academic studies] at Ramon Prison, I want to give my full thanks to my lecturers, lecturer Ahed Abu Gholmeh (i.e., terrorist, planned murder of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze’evi), who is called ‘Abu Qais’ – I send him greetings and wish him a speedy release, Allah willing. [I thank] lecturer brother Sa’id Shtayyeh (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 2), lecturer Maslama Thabet (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 2), and everyone who helped me during my studies. I especially thank the anonymous soldiers who helped bring in the master’s degree program of University of Palestine into Ramon Prison. Thanks to everyone, and especially brother Khalil Halabi ‘Abu Khalil,’ brother Hamed Halabi, his father, and the University of Palestine staff.”
[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Dec. 22, 2022]
Ahed Abu Gholmeh – Palestinian terrorist who planned the murder of Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze’evi “Ghandi” on Oct. 17, 2001. Gholmeh is serving life in prison.
Sa’id Musa Shtayyeh – Palestinian terrorist and Fatah member who provided the arms to the terrorists who murdered Mordechai and Shlomo Odesser on July 30, 2002 in the West Bank. Shtayyeh is serving 2 life sentences and an additional 17 years.
Maslama Thabet – Palestinian terrorist who participated in the kidnapping and murder of Etgar Zeituni and Motti Dayan in Tulkarem on Jan. 23, 2001, as well as additional terrorist activities. Thabet is serving a 25 year sentence.
Released prisoner Abd Al-Salam Abu Muhsin: “[Al-Quds] University [in] Abu Dis is active in the Hadarim Prison, and Al-Quds Open University is active in all the prisons. In the Negev (i.e., Ketziot) Prison brother Maslama Thabet (i.e., terrorist, murdered 2 together with accomplices) is responsible for this – whom we send him greetings – he is responsible for the studies there, and Allah Master of the Universe be praised, there are many prisoners studying for a master’s degree.”
[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, Sept. 1, 2022]
Official PA TV newsreader: “The Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights – the Hurryyat Association organized a class graduation ceremony for prisoners in Ramon Prison, after they completed a course on international law and human rights... The parents received the certificates of the prisoners... [who] completed 100 hours of training over six months.”…
Director of the Hurryyat Association Hilmi Al-A’araj: “The course lasted six months… 36 prisoners completed it...The [PA] Minister of Justice approved the certificates and the [PA] Ministry of Justice signed them.
[Official PA TV News, Aug. 24, 2022]
"Prisoner Azmi Sahl Naffa (i.e., terrorist, wounded 4) from Jenin began his 8th year in the prisons, and he has been imprisoned since Nov. 24, 2015, and is serving a 20-year sentence… He was arrested before completing his university studies and completed his studies in prison, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in law.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 25, 2022]
Azmi Sahl Naffa – 21-year-old Palestinian terrorist who committed a car ramming attack and wounded 4 Israeli security force members at Tapuach Junction near Nablus on Nov. 24, 2015. Naffa is serving 20 years.
“The [PA-funded] Prisoners’ Club noted that prisoners Mahmoud Abu Kharabish, 57, and Jum’a Adam ‘Takrouri’ (i.e., terrorists, murdered 5 together with an accomplice), 55, began their 35th year in the Israeli occupation’s prisons, and the two of them are from the Jericho and Jordan Valley district and have been imprisoned since 1988.
The club explained that prisoner Abu Kharabish… completed high school studies in prison and also achieved a bachelor’s and master’s degree…
The Prisoners’ Club noted that Adam completed high school studies in prison, achieved a bachelor’s degree, and began to complete his master’s degree in political science.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Nov. 1, 2022]
Jum'a Adam, Ahmad Takrouri, and Mahmoud Abu Kharabish
“Prisoner Muhammad Subhi Muhammad Abu Tabih (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 2), 41, from Jenin, began his 21st consecutive year in the occupation’s prisons yesterday, Thursday [July 28, 2022].
Director of the [PA-funded] Prisoners’ Club in Jenin Muntasir Sammour noted to [the official PA news agency] WAFA that prisoner Abu Tabih… was arrested for the second time in 2002 and underwent a long and difficult interrogation at the Jalame interrogation center that lasted 100 days, and two years after his arrest the occupation’s court sentenced him to life (sic., 2 life sentences) and another 15 years…
During the years of his imprisonment, prisoner Abu Tabih succeeded in doing a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics and a master’s degree in history, and also succeeded in learning English and Hebrew and publishing a book entitled ‘The Straight Path.’”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 29, 2022]
Muhammad Abu Tbeikh – Palestinian terrorist and member of the Islamic Jihad terror organization who was involved in sending a suicide bomber to murder 2 in an attack on the Binyamina train station on July 16, 2001. In June 2002 he recruited two terrorists for a car bombing on a building in Tel Aviv. Due to a lack of explosives he sent one of them to detonate a car next to an Israeli bus in Wadi Ara instead, but the attack was thwarted and Abu Tbeikh was arrested. He is serving 2 life sentences and 15 years.
“Prisoner Ahmed Sari Hussein (PMW was unable to determine the nature of his crimes -Ed.), 40, from the Tulkarem refugee camp, began his 20th consecutive year in the occupation’s prisons since his arrest in 2004, …which, two years later, the occupation sentenced him to life and another 35 years. … During the years of his imprisonment he succeeded in completing his studies and receiving a bachelor’s degree.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 15, 2023]
Headline: “Honoring the family of prisoner Ahmad Kaabneh at the end of a study course for the prisoners in Jericho”
“Jericho and Jordan Valley District Governor Jihad Abu Al-Asal honored prisoner Ahmad Mahmoud Kaabneh (i.e., terrorist, murdered 2), who has been in the occupation’s prison for a quarter of a century. He is one of the [prisoners] who completed the study course on the PLO inside the occupation’s prisons. [Abu Al-Asal] gave the prisoner’s mother, wife, and family the course completion certificate and honorary plaques…
Governor Abu Al-Asal conveyed the blessings and pride of [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas, [PLO] Executive Committee Secretary Hussein Al-Sheikh, and the members of the Fatah Movement Central Committee…
One hundred and twenty prisoners participated in the training, including prisoner Ahmad Mahmoud Kaabneh, who has been imprisoned since 1997 and who was sentenced by the occupation authorities to 2 life sentences and another 6 years.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Sept. 1, 2022]
Hussein Al-Sheikh also serves as Head of the PLO Negotiations Affairs Department, Fatah Central Committee member, and Head of Civil Affairs in the PA.
Ahmad Mahmoud Kaabneh – Palestinian terrorist who stabbed and murdered 2 Israelis – Hagit Zavitsky and Liat Kastiel, both 23 – while they were hiking in Wadi Qelt near Kfar Adumim, east of Jerusalem, on April 24, 1997. Kaabneh confessed to the murders and is serving 2 life sentences.
“Yesterday [Oct. 4, 2022] the occupation forces released prisoner Muhannad Khaled Muhammad Kmeil (PMW was unable to determine the nature of his crimes -Ed.), 42, from the village of Qabatiya south of Jenin, after he served 19 years in the occupation’s prisons…
During his imprisonment Kmeil obtained a matriculation certificate and a bachelor’s degree in sociology.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Oct. 5, 2022]