Abbas’ advisor: Oct. 7 war was “legal resistance, Jihad, and self-defense”
Abbas' advisor endorses Hamas' atrocities on Oct. 7
Palestinian academic stresses right to terror against Israel – resistance "by all means"
Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas' advisor, Mahmoud Al-Habbash, endorses Hamas' Oct. 7 atrocities and launch of war against Israel as "legal resistance, Jihad, and self-defense." Al-Habbash has no problem with the massacre, the torture, the rape, the burning alive, and the murder of over 1,200 Israelis. That is all "a legal right" and "a sacred duty" because it is "resistance" to Israel. The only problem with Oct. 7 was the disastrous outcome for the Gazan population, which Al-Habbash calls "a sin:"
Mahmoud Al-Habbash: "Resistance to occupation by all means is a legal right and a sacred duty, there is no dispute about that. When I express opposition to October 7, I am not opposing the principle of resistance (i.e., terror), the principle of Jihad, the legality of Jihad, or the legality of resistance.No, no, they are legal. Fighting the enemy (i.e., Israel) is legal, self-defense is legal, and defending the homeland is legal. But when I look at the big picture, I need to look at the consequences, at the outcome. What are the consequences of October 7 now?"
Jusoor News host: "Destruction and devastation [in Gaza]."
Al-Habbash: "So October 7 was a mistake, and moreover, it was a sin, which led to what it led to for the Palestinian people."
[PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash, YouTube channel, Sept. 3, 2026]
That violence and terror against Israeli civilians is permitted as legal "means" for Palestinians was also stressed by Secretary-General of the International Academic Campaign against the Israeli Occupation and Apartheid Ramzi Oudeh:
Secretary-General of the International Academic Campaign against the Israeli Occupation and Apartheid Ramzi Oudeh: "The Palestinian people continue to adhere to their national principles and to their right to resist the occupation (i.e., fight Israel) by all means (i.e., violence and terror), including peaceful means."
[Official PA TV, Topic of the Day, Sept. 22, 2026]
Palestinian Media Watch has exposed similar statements by Abbas' advisor of open support of Hamas' terror against Israel on Oct. 7 and during the three years since Hamas' attack.