In anticipation of the protest led by leaders from Judea and Samaria scheduled for Tuesday outside the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, has emphasized addressing what he believes to be the root cause of the problem: the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Dagan voiced his concerns ahead of the demonstration, highlighting the longstanding issues he sees with the Palestinian Authority. He remarked that ever since its inception, the PA has been actively funding and promoting terrorism. He argued that focusing solely on the individual terrorists isn't enough; it is imperative to address the overarching system that fosters and supports terrorism.
Yossi Dagan: PA responsible for Huwara terror attack https://t.co/QIimHV3Kvg via @ArutzSheva_En
— For A Safe Israel (@ForASafeIsrael) August 20, 2023
Dagan asserted, "The PA is the epicenter of terrorism." He elaborated on his claims, pointing out that since the PA's establishment in the 1990s, they've constructed an educational curriculum that he believes perpetuates harmful incitements generation after generation. He observed that Israel is notably absent from their geographic representations, with cities like Jaffa and Haifa emphasized as territories they should reclaim. Furthermore, Dagan expressed concern over the naming of numerous schools after individuals deemed terrorists and educational practices that seemingly glorify acts of terror. "It's no surprise," Dagan stated, "that these students internalize such teachings and are often driven to acts of terror, facing either incarceration or death. Therefore, our primary call to action should be addressing the practices of the PA."
Continuing his critique, Dagan pointed fingers at Abu Mazen, describing him as the "terrorist in a suit" who's the driving force behind the surge in terrorist activities. Despite this, Dagan claims the government continues to allocate significant monthly budgets to him, funds he believes end up supporting terrorist activities. He elaborated, "The PA not only educates in favor of terrorism but also financially rewards it. It's alarming that the PA offers terrorists and their families compensations significantly higher than the usual PA salaries. These payments often correlate with the severity of their acts—the graver the offense, the larger the payout."
The writing was on the wall; this blood is on the hands of the terrorist in a suit - Mahmoud Abbas,' Samaria leader Yossi Dagan says pic.twitter.com/mOuQFR6Uew
— Springer (@Springer866) August 20, 2023
Dagan used an analogy to underscore his point: "If we view the PA as a swamp breeding terrorism, then factions like Hamas and Islamic Jihad are merely the mosquitoes it produces. Regrettably, Israel's recent strategies have been more focused on combating these 'mosquitoes' rather than addressing the root cause—the 'swamp' itself." He indicated that Israel's actions, rather than curbing the PA, have been geared towards supporting it and ensuring its preservation.
It's worth noting that these protests are a direct response to the recent surge in terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria, particularly underscored by the severe attack on Mount Hebron the previous day.
