In the PA, jailed terrorists get their own special day

Director of PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Raed Abu Al-Humus: "I send blessings to fighter, leader, and inspiring teacher Marwan Barghouti (i.e., terrorist, orchestrated attacks in which 5 were murdered) on the anniversary of his arrest, and I tell him from here that we have not stopped keeping the flame alive. Heroes are recognized when they are in difficult situations."

[Official PA TV, April 14, 2026]

According to the PA's official daily, top PA officials in charge of media operations gave the event of Prisoner's Day top priority, expanding coverage and finding ways to amplify their message that terrorist murderers are "heroes" abroad.

"Representatives of the prisoners' institutions and the [Palestinian] National and Islamic Forces held a meeting with [General] Supervisor of the Official [PA] Media [with the rank of] minister Ahmad Assaf, in the presence of official PA TV Director Muhammad Barghouti. This was to discuss coordination methods for effective and comprehensive media coverageof the events of Palestinian Prisoner's Day, which will take place next Thursday...

Minister Assaf emphasized that the official media is committed to fulfilling its national and professional duty. He further emphasized that all resources and capabilities are being mobilized to cover the events of Palestinian Prisoner's Day in a manner befitting the prisoners' sacrifice and struggle, and that efforts are being made to make their voices and human stories heard all over the world."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 13, 2026]

Thematic coverage appeared on official PA TV, radio and on the internet, as well as in print:

Omar Hilmi Al-Ghoul, PLO Central Council member and regular columnist:"The heroic prisoners (i.e., terrorists) were arrested because they defended and continue to defend the future of the entire Palestinian people's struggle, the achievement of its political rights, the realization of the goal of freedom, independence, return, and self-determination, and the expulsion of the Zionist invaders from the land of the occupied Palestinian state."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 18, 2026]

In a dispatch, the PA's official news agency WAFA also linked Prisoner's Day with the anniversaries of top terrorists:

"The Fatah Movement stated that Palestinian Prisoner's Day, … the anniversary of the Martyrdom of symbol leader Khalil Al-Wazir ‘Abu Jihad' (i.e., terrorist, responsible for murder of 125)… and the anniversary of the arrest of national leader, prisoner, and Fatah Central Committee member Marwan Barghouti ‘Abu Al-Qassam' (i.e., terrorist, orchestrated three attacks in which 5 were murdered)… constitute milestones in the struggle rooted in the heart of our people… These milestones complement each other in their national meanings, embody the unity of the path, struggle, and sacrifice, and prove that our people continues steadily on the path of freedom – no matter how great the challenges will be, and how the sacrifices will increase...

Fatah added that on the anniversary of the Martyrdom of leader Khalil Al-Wazir ‘Abu Jihad,' it remembers the journey of an extraordinary leader… [and that] Abu Jihad remains an eternal symbol and a fixed path in the journey of struggle.

Fatah continued: ‘On the anniversary of the arrest of leader Marwan Barghouti, we also remember the image of the leader who turned prison into a front in the struggle and did not allow the chains to diminish his national presence or political influence, but rather became more present and symbolic in the heart of our people, thus embodying the meaning of a leader leading from behind bars just as he leads on the ground.' …

While recalling these milestones, Fatah emphasized that our people continues on the path of the Martyr leaders and prisoners – on the path of Abu Jihad, on the path of Marwan Barghouti, and on the path of thousands of prisoners who have written with their blood and suffering magnificent chapters of resolve. It added that this journey will not stop until our people's goals are achieved…"

[WAFA, official PA news agency, April 15, 2026]

Spreading the message, terrorists Abu Jihad and Barghouti were glorified with extensive coverage. Official PA TV praised Barghouti, referring to his arrest by Israel as a "kidnapping":

Text on screen: "On April 15, fighter Barghouti begins his 25^th year in prison

‘The last day of the occupation's (i.e., Israel's) life is the first day of peace – your brother, Marwan Barghouti.'

24 years since the kidnapping of national leader Marwan Barghouti."

Male voice: "We will continue the struggle and the fight, regardless of the price, out of loyalty to this great people – which deserves that we will sacrifice for it."

Posted text: "April 15, [2026] – 24 years since the arrest of Fatah Movement Central Committee member leader Marwan Barghouti"

[Official PA TV, Telegram channel, April 11, 2026]

Abbas' deputy in Fatah explicitly conjoined Prisoner's Day with Barghouti's "abduction" and Abu Jihad's "Martyrdom," expressing the PA's pride and admiration for both:

Fatah Deputy Chairman Mahmoud Al-Aloul: "Today is the anniversary of the arrest and abduction of the fighting leader, Fatah Central Committee member brother Marwan Barghouti. Tomorrow and the day after mark Palestinian Prisoner's Day, followed by the anniversary of the Martyrdom of great leader and symbol brother Khalil Al-Wazir ‘Abu Jihad,' may Allah have mercy on him. This is a collection of very important memorial days for the Palestinian people. Regarding the anniversary of brother Marwan Barghouti, this fighting leader, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, is a leader who we are very proud of and of his struggle. He dedicated his entire life, from when he was a student until today, for the people, freedom, the land, and Palestine. Marwan Barghouti is a rare case and an exceptional leader. For the past 24 years he has been imprisoned in the occupation's (i.e., Israeli) prisons… His influence among the Palestinian people and the youth as a comprehensive Palestinian leader has never ceased. Marwan is still in the hearts of the people in general."

Posted text: "These days mark the anniversary of the arrest of leader Marwan Barghouti (i.e., terrorist, orchestrated three attacks in which 5 were murdered) and the anniversary of the assassination of leader Khalil Al-Wazir [‘Abu Jihad'] (i.e., terrorist, responsible for murder of 125). We reemphasize that our national project continues, and that the sacrifice of the leaders, prisoners, Martyrs, and wounded will remain the fuel for our march towards freedom and independence. Fatah Movement Deputy Chairman [and Fatah Central Committee member] Mahmoud Al-Aloul."

[Fatah Commission of Information and Culture, Facebook page,
April 15, 2026]

Similar accolades by PA officials and associated media were handed out to Abu Jihad around the anniversary of his death:

Fatah Spokesman Iyad Abu Zneit: "Abu Jihad represents an ideological and symbolic force for the Palestinian people. Today, this value embodies the true Palestinian, the fighting Palestinian who sacrifices and gives everything for the homeland."

[Fatah-run Radio Mawtini, Facebook page, April 16, 2026]

Fatah-run Awdah TV narrator: "Abu Jihad established the self-sacrificing squads (i.e., terror cells) in the occupied land. He took responsibility for the Fatah Movement's western arena forces, which carried out the most complex self-sacrificing operations (i.e., terror attacks) within the occupied territories."

Posted text: "No voice rises above the voice of the intifada

The 38^th anniversary of the Martyrdom of Fatah Central Committee member Khalil Al-Wazir ‘Abu Jihad' (i.e., terrorist, responsible for murder of 125)

Get to know his biography and the prominent milestones in his life"

[Fatah Commission of Information and Culture, Facebook page,
April 16, 2026]

Fatah broadcast Arafat's eulogy for Abu Jihad, in which he called him an erupting "volcano":

Former PLO and PA Chairman Yasser Arafat: "Abu Jihad will become volcanoes in our occupied land. Erupt, O volcanoes! Erupt, O volcanoes!"

Posted text: "The words of late [PLO Chairman and PA] President Yasser Arafat in a eulogy for his comrade on the path Khalil Al-Wazir ‘Abu Jihad' (i.e., terrorist, responsible for murder of 125)."

[Fatah Commission of Information and Culture, Facebook page,
April 16, 2026]

PA Governor of Ramallah dedicated a long post to Abu Jihad, naming him a "political leader whose name will remain present in the hearts of our people and the future generations":

Posted text: "In memory and loyalty to his spirit, I participated in the commemoration of the 38^th anniversary of the death of the Prince of Martyrs Khalil Al-Wazir ‘Abu Jihad' (i.e., terrorist, responsible for murder of 125), at the museum of his comrade [former PLO Chairman and PA President] eternal Martyr Yasser Arafat. The event was attended by several members of the PLO Executive Committee and the Fatah Movement Central Committee, alongside members of the diplomatic corps in the State of Palestine, ministers and ambassadors, representatives of civil society institutions, writers, and journalists.

On this day, we remember the life of Martyr leader Khalil Al-Wazir, one of the prominent founders of the modern Palestinian revolution, who dedicated his life to the struggle for the freedom and independence of his people. He was an example of giving, dedication, and tireless national activity, as he played a central role in organizing revolutionary activity and strengthening the resolve of our people.

We also remember his firm imprint on the path of the national struggle, as he was a field commander and political leader who bore the burden of the [Palestinian] cause in its various stages and contributed to building the foundations of the struggle, such that his name will remain present in the hearts of our people and the future generations."

[Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam,
Facebook page, April 19, 2026]

Not to let Barghouti feel left out, Ghannam made a post in his honor the same day:

Posted text: "On the 24^th anniversary of the arrest of national leader Marwan Barghouti (i.e., terrorist, orchestrated three attacks in which 5 were murdered) by the occupation (i.e., Israel), which coincides with Palestinian Prisoner's Day, I visited the headquarters of the popular campaign for the release of prisoner Marwan Barghouti, where I met with his wife.

Prisoner leader Marwan Barghouti is a national symbol and will remain an example for the struggle of our Palestinian people, its just cause, and the struggle of our prisoners in the occupation's prisons. All the occupation's attempts to undermine his resolve and willpower will fail, and he will remain dignified as we have always known him."

The picture shows Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam standing with the wife of terrorist prisoner Marwan Barghouti, with a picture of Marwan Barghouti and a Palestinian flag in the background.

[Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam, Facebook page,
April 19, 2026]

In the news section, the official PA paper covered the Prisoner's Day ceremonies in Jericho, where its district Governor Hussein Hamayel led the commemoration:

"Hamayel emphasized the importance of marking this national event to emphasize the issue of the prisoners (i.e., terrorists) in the occupation's (i.e., Israeli) prisons, its priority among our people's issues, and the need to unite the efforts to support the prisoners and their families. In this context, he mentioned the positions of [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas regarding adherence to the independence of the national decision-making, and that the issue of the prisoners will remain at the top of the national priorities despite the ongoing violations and the international silence.

Hamayel emphasized that the prisoners and their families are a trust placed on the shoulders of the leadership and the people, and we will continue to support them despite the pressures."

[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, April 17, 2026]

PA TV's coverage included clips from Fatah ceremonies in other countries as well, including Tunisia, where the PLO was based in the period before the Oslo Accords and which remains a nexus of Palestinian incitement, including in support for terrorism:

Fatah Tunis Branch Secretary Bassam Ayoub: "We will continue to be loyal and will continue to adhere to the same path that was walked by brother Abu Jihad, may Allah have mercy on him. Of course, on Prisoner's Day we stand with great respect and appreciation for the sacrifice of those heroes." …

Student Association of Palestine in Tunis Secretary-General Abd Al-Karim Khalifa: "Our heroic prisoners (i.e., terrorists) who are imprisoned in the occupation's prisons – ... for us, these people are heroes..."

Official PA TV reporter: "During the activities, a report was presented reviewing the life story of leader Abu Jihad, mentioning the struggles he waged together with the rest of the PLO leaders for the homeland and for defeating the cruel occupation."

[Official PA TV News, April 19, 2026]

As Palestinian Media Watch has documented, the PA sees its terrorist prisoners in Israeli jails as role models and the glorification of them as heroes is coming from the PA top. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has thus said repeatedly, the PA will pay them salaries even down to the PA's last penny:

Mahmoud Abbas at a meeting of the Fatah Revolutionary Council: "We [the PA] again emphasize that we are proud of the sacrifices made by the Martyrs, prisoners, and wounded (i.e., terrorists)... I told you once and I stand by my word: Even if we have [only] one penny left, it is for the prisoners and Martyrs. I will not agree, and you will not agree, to reduce any obligation, any interest, or any penny given to them. They must receive everything, as it was in the past, and they are more precious than all of us!"

[PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, YouTube channel, Feb. 21, 2025]

The PA prioritizes those payments over all others, including education for Palestinian children – and even when it knows full well that paying terrorists triggers laws in Israel and the United States that automatically withhold funds from the PA.

The following is additional information on people and events mentioned above:

Ahmad Assaf also serves as General Supervisor of Fatah-run Awdah TV.

Omar Hilmi Al-Ghoul is also a former advisor with the rank of minister to former PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on national affairs.

Palestinian National and Islamic Forces

Abu Jihad (Khalil Al-Wazir)

Marwan Barghouti