B’nai B’rith International condemns the actions of the Palestinian Authority in receiving the remains of 91 Palestinian terrorists from the State of Israel. The PA celebrated the return of the “martyrs'” remains with an official ceremony in Ramallah complete with a 21-gun salute and laying wreaths on the Palestinian flag-wrapped coffins.

“Essential to long-term peace in the Middle East is Israel and the Palestinians’ sitting down to peace negotiations. This is dependent upon each side showing respect for the other,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs. “The actions of President Abbas in glorifying terrorists demonstrated anything but respect.”

Among the remains transferred from an Israeli military cemetery were suicide bombers responsible for the deaths of more than 200 Israelis including Ramez Aslim, the suicide bomber who attacked Jerusalem Café Hillel in 2003, killing seven and injuring 50. Also among the remains transferred was Raed Abdel-Hamed Misk, the Hamas suicide bomber who attacked Israel’s No. 2 bus in Jerusalem in 2003, killing 23 and injuring more than 130.

“As long as the Palestinian side continues to celebrate terror, incite violence and delegitimize the Jewish state, Israel will lack a partner in the peace process,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.