Sunday, June 29, 2008

Bulletin June 29, 2008Palestinian Media Watch
PA leaders: Quntar a hero
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook
Palestinian Media Watch:
p:+972 2 625 4140 e: pmw@pmw.org.il
f: +972 2 624 2803 w: www.pmw.org.il

According to the Palestinian Authority leadership, Samir Quntar epitomizes
the ideal Palestinian prisoner. Quntar, who crushed the head of
four-year-old Eynat Haran with his rifle, is serving four life sentences for
murder in an Israeli prison, but is almost certain to be freed in a prisoner
swap with Hizbullah this week.

On one hand, Quntar embodies what the PA considers the "heroism" of
terrorists fighting Israel. On the other hand, he's the ultimate symbol of
all terrorist prisoners who have murdered Israelis and will eventually be
freed as a result of future kidnappings or through some other means.

PA TV, controlled by Mahmoud Abbas, broadcast the following picture honoring
Quntar. He is depicted beside a map of Israel completely covered by the
Palestinian flag.

[PATV, 23-25 June 2008]

Following are several recent quotes from PA leaders since April 2008,
describing Quntar:
"Samir Quntar, the warrior from Lebanon."
"The brave warrior, Samir Quntar."
"The Palestinian people and the Palestinian leadership are standing behind
you (Quntar)."
"You (Quntar) are an inseparable part of the action to free our homeland."
"Your (Quntar) patience and strength are a lesson for us."

Besides bludgeoning Eynat Haran to death with rocks and his rifle, Quntar
killed her father and was responsible for the death of her infant sister. He
also killed two policemen in the 1979 attack in Naharia. The Israeli
cabinet today approved a prisoner exchange that would free Quntar and
several other prisoners in exchange for Israeli soldiers Eldad Regev and
Ehud Goldwasser, who were kidnapped by Hizbullah in 2006. The exchange could
happen within the next few days.