PA District Governor praises “the rifle” and murderous attacks against Americans and Israelis
Official PA TV, on the funeral of a PA Security Forces member killed during clashes with armed Palestinian groups in Jenin
Tubas District Governor Ahmed Al-As'ad: "There is a conflict between truth and lies, and we [the PA] are the truth, Allah willing. This is the noble rifle, which remains vigilant at night to maintain the peace and security of the residents and their wellbeing. This is the only rifle that is noble, and we do not recognize any others. This is the rifle of [former PLO Chairman] Yasser Arafat, the rifle of Beirut, the rifle of the Savoy Hotel (i.e., terror attack, 11 murdered), and of Dimona (i.e., the Mothers' Bus attack, 3 murdered). Indeed, we are the heirs of the Beirut self-sacrificing fighters."
[Official PA TV, Dec. 25, 2024]
"This is the only rifle that is noble" is a reference to an incident in Jenin earlier in December when armed Palestinians shot at PA Security Forces, killing one Palestinian policeman. Al-As'ad's message is to these armed Palestinians in Jenin: They are "the lie", while Fatah is "the truth", and only PA/Fatah rifles are "noble."
"The rifle of Beirut" and "the Beirut self-sacrificing fighters" probably refers to: