Terrorist murderers are “pride,” “heroic,” and “a beacon” says Palestinian Authority
Terrorist who set fire to body of Israeli soldier during the Ramallah lynch welcomed with "pride" and called "heroic" by PA officials
The imprisoned terrorists are "a beacon guiding our people" – top PA official at meeting with lynch terrorist
4 terrorists, including lynch perpetrator, are "a group of heroes" – Fatah Central Committee member
Among Israelis, the lynch of two Israeli soldiers by a Palestinian mob in Ramallah in October 2000 is probably one of the most remembered and horrifying single incidents of the Palestinian Authority's five-year terror campaign, the second Intifada, 2000-2005. The infamous photo of a Palestinian showing the mob his bloody hands from the window is known to all Israelis.
In the PA, the murderers and other perpetrators of the Ramallah lynch are still celebrated and honored by PA officials, even 26 years later. Among those recently released was Ziyad Hamoudeh, who participated in the lynch of Israeli reservists Vadim Nurzhitz and Yossi Avrahami. After the two soldiers accidentally entered Ramallah, a mob seized them and took them to a Palestinian Authority police station, where they were tortured, murdered, and their bodies mutilated. Hamoudeh was the one who set fire to Nurzhitz's body.
Upon Hamoudeh's release, senior PA officials rushed to welcome and praise him. Among them was Ramallah District Governor Laila Ghannam, who said she was "honored" to greet him and described imprisoned terrorists as "a beacon guiding our people:"
Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam: "I was honored to welcome the released prisoner Ziyad Hamoudeh, who returned to the embrace of freedom after 25 years in the occupation's (i.e., Israel's) prisons, in a long journey of patience and resolve in the face of the prison and the jailers... While welcoming the released Hamoudeh, I reiterate the pride in the resolve of our prisoners (i.e., terrorists) in the face of the jailers and the policies of the Zionist prison system, headed by the most extreme minister Ben Gvir. Their sacrifice will remain a symbol of pride and honor, and a beacon guiding our people on their path towards freedom and independence."
[Laila Ghannam, Facebook page, July 6, 2026]
Likewise, senior Fatah official Tawfiq Tirawi was "honored" to meet terrorist Ziyad Hamoudeh among "a group of heroes:"
Released terrorist Jihad Al-Roum (left), Fatah Central Committee member Tawfiq Tirawi (center), and released terrorist and Ramallah lynch participant Hamoudeh (right)
Tirawi hugs released terrorist Amin Omar Diab Ziyad
Fatah Central Committee member Tawfiq Tirawi: "We were honored to visit a group of heroes (i.e., terrorists) from the prisoners' movement, released prisoners from the occupation's prisons, in the Ramallah and El-Bireh district.
The heroic prisoner Amer Hamad Al-Laftaoui
The heroic prisoner Amin Ziyad
The heroic prisoner Abd Al-Karim Al-Rimawi
The heroic prisoner Ziyad Hamoudeh
Accompanying me on the visit were my brothers, the released prisoners from the occupation's prisons, Sa'id Tamimi, [Jihad Al-Roum] Amer Marji, and Lua'i Al-Mansi (i.e., all released terrorists)…
We expressed our deep appreciation and pride in their legendary resolve in the face of the occupation's (i.e., Israel's) violence and its repressive measures against our heroic prisoners.
All blessings and loyalty to our released prisoners and to our prisoners behind the occupation's bars."
[Fatah Central Committee member Tawfiq Tirawi, Facebook page July 8, 2026]
Acting Mayor of El-Bireh, a lawyer named Amjad Al-Shala, went together with additional city council members to see lynch participant Ziyad Hamoudeh, stressing "their pride in his resolve and sacrifice:"
Terrorist Hamoudeh with PA officials and a plaque with the PA map of "Palestine" that presents all of Israel together with the PA areas as "Palestine"
"Acting Mayor of El-Bireh, lawyer Amjad Al-Shala, accompanied by city council members Salwa Qara'an, Muhammad Hamdallah, Ja'far Al-Tawil, and Diyaa' Ma'ala, visited the released prisoner Ziyad Hamoudeh, following his release after 25 years of imprisonment in the occupation's prisons.
During the visit, the delegation congratulated the released prisoner Hamoudeh and his family on achieving his freedom. The delegation members emphasized their pride in his resolve and sacrifice throughout the years of imprisonment and wished him a dignified life with his family and loved ones."
[El-Bireh Municipality Facebook page, June 25, 2026]
Palestinian Media Watch has documented the PA's support and pride in the "heroic" terrorists and murderers of the two Israeli soldiers in the lynch:
Official PA TV host: "I'm with the family of heroic prisoner Habbes Bayyoud who was sentenced to life (i.e., 2 life sentences) within the occupation's prisons… We are now at the home of heroic prisoner Muhammad Nawarah who is serving a life sentence, may Allah release him…"
Sister of terrorist Muhammad Nawarah: "Muhammad is a handsome guy and makes one proud. I am proud that I have a brother like Muhammad… Thanks to him, we raise our heads and feel proud…"
Host: "We have now arrived at the house of heroic prisoner Jawad Abu Qara, who is also serving a life sentence (sic., 25 years). We wish him and all of our prisoners full freedom."
[Official PA TV, Giants of Endurance, June 16, 2018]
Governor Ghannam has also expressed her "pride" in additional Ramallah lynch "heroes," such as Muhammad Al-Malah and Muhammad Musleh. Ghannam posted this on her Facebook page regarding Al-Malah, who had been released in exchange for Israeli hostages:
Posted text: "Our prisoners (i.e., terrorists) and those released among them are a symbol of the unbreakable Palestinian willpower…
I was pleased to receive the released prisoner, my friend Muhammad Al-Malah (i.e., terrorist murderer), who breathed freedom after long years spent behind the bars of the occupation's (i.e., Israel's) prisons. Al-Malah invited me to participate in the joy of his wedding, in a scene that embodies the victory of life over the terror of prison and jailers.
I am proud of the released Al-Malah… Our prisoners and those released among them will remain a symbol of resolve, while carrying in their memory the suffering of prisons, with a firm belief in freedom and dignity in their hearts. Their issue will remain present in the conscience of our people until they are all released and return to their families safely and with heads held high."
[Laila Ghannam, Facebook page, July 19, 2026]
When terrorist Muhammad Musleh, who had taken part in the Ramallah lynch and also had been serving 9 life sentences for murdering 8 people, was released and deported in 2023, Ghannam went to visit his wife:
Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam visiting the wife of released terrorist prisoner Muhammad Musleh
Posted text: "Today we held an exceptional meeting with the family and wife of released and deported prisoner Muhammad [Musleh] 'Abu Satha,' who breathed the air of freedom after 24 years… only to find himself forcibly deported from his homeland.
We are proud of released 'Abu Satha' and his family members."
[Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam, Facebook page, Feb. 17, 2025]
This followed a visit to the terrorist's family in 2023 when Ghannam referred to the murderer as "heroic" [Laila Ghannam, Facebook page, April 24, 2023].
PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Director Raed Abu Al-Humus also visited the family of released terrorist and lynch participant Muhammad Musleh together with Fatah Revolutionary Council member and released terrorist Zakariya Zubeidi, a delegation from the commission, and members of Fatah [PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs, Facebook page, Feb. 28, 2025].
The following are longer excerpts of the reports cited above and additional reports on the PA's praise for the Ramallah lynch terrorist Hamoudeh:
Posted text: "I was honored to receive the family of the prisoner (i.e., terrorist who participated in Ramallah lynch of two Israeli soldiers) Ziyad Hamoudeh, who is preparing to breathe his freedom after 25 years of imprisonment in the occupation's (i.e., Israel's) prisons. The family updated me on the arrangements and preparations to receive him in a manner befitting his sacrifice and our resolve behind bars... As we prepare to receive the prisoner Hamoudeh, we emphasize our pride in the resolve of the prisoners (i.e., terrorists) against the jailers, the so-called prison administration, and the most extreme minister Ben Gvir, and salute their sacrifice, which will remain a beacon lighting our people's path to freedom."
[Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam, Facebook page, July 6, 2026]
Fatah Central Committee member Tawfiq Tirawi: "We were honored to visit a group of heroes (i.e., terrorists) from the prisoners' movement, released prisoners from the occupation's prisons, in the Ramallah and El-Bireh district.
The heroic prisoner Amer Hamad Al-Laftaoui
The heroic prisoner Amin Ziyad
The heroic prisoner Abd Al-Karim Al-Rimawi
The heroic prisoner Ziyad Hamoudeh
Accompanying me on the visit were my brothers, the released prisoners (i.e., terrorists) from the occupation's prisons, Sa'id Tamimi, [Jihad Al-Roum] Amer Marji, and La'i Al-Mansi (i.e., all released terrorists), who embodied in their presence the values of loyalty and solidarity with their comrades on the path to freedom.
During the visit, we were updated on their health conditions and living conditions, and we expressed our deep appreciation and pride in their legendary resolve in the face of the occupation's (i.e., Israel's) violence and its repressive measures against our heroic prisoners.
All blessings and loyalty to our released prisoners and to our prisoners behind the occupation's bars, who have provided and continue to provide the most magnificent displays of resolve and sacrifice for freedom and dignity. We ask Allah to grant all prisoners swift salvation and freedom soon."
[Fatah Central Committee member Tawfiq Tirawi, Facebook page July 8, 2026]
Posted text: "I had the honor of receiving the freed prisoner Ziyad Hamoudeh (i.e., terrorist who participated in Ramallah lynch of two Israeli soldiers) at the grave of the Martyr Yasser Arafat, who breathed freedom after 25 years of imprisonment. This was in the presence of Zakaria Al-Zubaidi, member of the Fatah Movement Central Committee, the head of the Prisoners' Authority, several members of the Fatah Movement Revolutionary Council and the Ramallah and El-Bireh branch [of Fatah], and some freed prisoners. (i.e., terrorists)
Additionally, I accompanied Hamoudeh to his home, where he carried his mother on his shoulders despite his fatigue and difficult health condition, as a message of loyalty and gratitude to the one who waited for him for a quarter of a century and endured years of absence, pain, and hope ...
While receiving the freed Hamoudeh, I emphasize my pride in the prisoners' resolve against the jailers, against what is called the prison administration, and against the most extreme minister Ben Gvir. I also salute their sacrifice, which will remain a beacon illuminating our people's path to freedom."
[Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam, Facebook page, June 18, 2026]
The pictures show Director of PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Raed Abu Al-Humus visiting released terrorist prisoners and their families.
Posted text: "[Director of PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs Raed] Abu Al-Humus visited several released prisoners in the Ramallah and El-Bireh district
Feb. 28, 2025
Today, Friday, Director of Commission of Prisoners' [Affairs] Raed Abu Al-Humus, Fatah Revolutionary Council member released prisoner Zakariya Zubeidi (i.e., senior Fatah terrorist), a delegation from the commission, and members of the Fatah branch visited several prisoners in the Ramallah district who were recently released after spending long years in the Israeli occupation's prisons (i.e., terrorists released in an exchange deal during Hamas' Oct. 7 war on Israel; see note below).
They and the accompanying delegation visited released prisoner Saad Al-Din Jaber (i.e., terrorist who was serving 35 years – PMW was unable to determine the details of his crimes) from the Al-Amari refugee camp, the family of released and deported prisoner Muhammad Musleh (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 8), …the family of released and deported prisoner Nael Barghouti (i.e., terrorist, murdered 1 together with accomplices) from Kubar village, …and the family of released and deported prisoner Ahmed Barghouti ‘the Frenchman' (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 12)."
[PLO Commission of Prisoners' Affairs, Facebook page, Feb. 28, 2025]
The picture shows Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam visiting the wife of released terrorist prisoner Muhammad Musleh.
Posted text: "Today [Feb. 17, 2025], we held an exceptional meeting with the family and wife of released and deported prisoner Muhammad [Musleh] 'Abu Satha' (i.e., terrorist, involved in murder of 8), who breathed the air of freedom after 24 years in the prisons and solitary confinement of the occupation (i.e., Israel) only to find himself forcibly deported from his homeland.
We are proud of released 'Abu Satha' and his family members, whom the occupation did not only make do with the long years of imprisonment it imposed on him, but rather continued its oppressive policy by preventing his wife from traveling to meet him, in an attempt to impose collective punishment on him and his family…
Despite all the occupation's terror against the family of 'Abu Satha' and the raid on their home yesterday with threats and promises, they continue to adhere to their deep belief that his return is inevitable and that the exile of the deportees is temporary, because the homeland dwells in their hearts as they dwell in it, and their freedom will only be complete when they return to it."
[Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam, Facebook page, Feb. 17, 2025]
The image shows Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam visiting the family of terrorist Muhammad Musleh.
Posted text: "During a visit of blessings for the holiday to the family of the two prisoner brothers Muhammad and Ahmed Musleh 'Abu Satha' (i.e., terrorist Muhammad Musleh was involved in the murder of 8; PMW was unable to determine the nature of Ahmed Musleh's crimes), while heroic prisoner Muhammad is serving 9 life sentences and 50 additional years, and his brother Ahmed was arrested this week after the occupation wounded his son.
Prisoner Muhammad was arrested on Feb. 17, 2001, during an expansive operation of raiding and invading El-Bireh, and the occupation forces destroyed his home after his arrest.
We bless the 'Abu Satha' family on the holiday whose joy will only be complete with the return of the two prisoners Muhammad and Ahmed, and when all our prisoners behind the occupation's prison bars are released and return to the embrace of their families in peace."
[Ramallah and El-Bireh District Governor Laila Ghannam, Facebook page, April 24, 2023]