New ‘Revitalized’ Palestinian Government Includes Antisemites and Terror Supporters

Two incoming cabinet members of the new ‘technocratic’ Palestinian government have made past antisemitic and terror-praising statements, according to a report by Palestinian Media Watch.

The monitor's findings single out the Minister of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Mustafa Najem, and the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Muna Al-Khalili, for specific condemnation.

During the second intifada, where more than 1,000 Israelis were killed, Najem preached a jihadist sermon that asked Allah to “afflict the Jews with the worst torment,” while later comparing them to “apes and pigs.” The comments were reportedly broadcast on PA television.

At an event honoring the female PLO terrorist Dalal Mughrabi, Al-Khalili described her leadership in the 1978 Coastal Road massacre as proving that, “Palestinian women are capable of carrying out the most difficult missions.” During the horrifying bus hijacking, 37 people were murdered including 12 children and the noted American war correspondent Gail Rubin.

Ten days after the October 7 invasion of southern Israel, Al-Khalili was seen at a vigil calling for the release of security prisoners held by Israel’s prison service. Among the list of terrorists that the demonstrators demanded to be freed, were Ibrahim Hamed who is thought to be responsible for the deaths of at least 53 people, and intifada leader Marwan Barghouti.

The new government was established at the request of the Biden administration who demanded that the Palestinian Authority be “revitalized” in the wake of the current conflict in the region. These new members, mainly Fatah party loyalists, were welcomed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a recent phone call with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.