Abbas: IDF operation in Bethlehem a barbaric crime

Palestinian Authority condemns killing of four terrorists, says 'crime exposes Israel's mask'
Roee Nahmias

Abbas lashes out at Israel: A spokesman on behalf of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' office condemned the IDF operation Wednesday that left four senior terrorists dead in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

"This barbaric crime exposes the fake mask on Israel's face," the statement said, while slamming the Jewish State for "talking about peace but committing daily crimes, murders, and executions against our people."

West Bank

Report: IDF kills mastermind of Jerusalem terror attack / Ali Waked

Bethlehem sources say IDF forces operating in town kill Muhammad Shahade, Islamic Jihad operative believed to be responsible for attack on Mercaz Harav yeshiva in Jerusalem; three other militants killed in raid

Full Story

The harsh Palestinian Authority statement claimed that complaints made by the Israeli government were "bogus" and that despite its declared desire to achieve peace and security, "on the ground it continues its ceaseless settlement activity in Jerusalem and other West Bank areas."

'Op sabotages truce efforts'

The statement further claimed that Israel has ignored its "bogus pledges from Annapolis and other international events in addition to the barbaric holocaust it has carried out against our people, women, and children in the Gaza Strip."

At the end of the statement the Palestinian Authority charged Israel with the responsibility for "all the implications that the barbaric crimes against our people and sons will have."

"Israel is wrong if it thinks that these crimes will undermine the Palestinian people's firm stand," Abbas' office said. "This people will continue to stand firm, cling to its land, and object to the occupation and to the settlements, until the occupiers and settlers are defeated and the state of Palestine is established with holy Jerusalem as its capital."

Meanwhile, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat also addressed the Israeli operation, charging that it "sabotages the efforts to reach a ceasefire."