US Vice President Joe Biden
Photo: AFP
PA won't honor terrorist, for now
Biden's visit assumed reason for delay in naming Ramallah square after female perpetrator of 1978 attack
The Palestinian Authority decided Wednesday to postpone a ceremony naming Ramallah's central square after Dalal Al-Mughrabi, a female terrorist who carried out a deadly terror attack on an Israeli bus in 1978.
For the time being, a new date has not been set for the ceremony.
The postponement is assumed to be linked to a visit by US Vice President Joe Biden, who is currently in Israel. Earlier in the day, Biden condemned Israel for approving the construction of 1,600 new housing units in east Jerusalem.
In recent weeks, Israel has conveyed harsh messages to the Palestinians regarding the plans for the square's new name. Al-Mughrabi is a popular figure, considered by the Palestinian public to be a major hero of their struggle, with many legends linked to her name over the years.
On March 11, 1978, 11 Fatah terrorists infiltrated Israel's coast using a rubber raft. They murdered photographer Gail Rubin and proceeded to hijack a bus while shooting at passing vehicles. They shot at the passengers and al-Mughrabi blew up the bus.
Altogether, 35 people were killed and 71 injured in the massacre, which to this day remains the deadliest terror attack in the State of Israel's history.
