Israel's Foreign Ministry has levelled a serious accusation against the Palestinian Authority (P.A.), alleging it has promoted two convicted terrorists who were released from Israeli prisons as part of a hostage exchange deal with Hamas. The ministry further asserts that this action demonstrates the P.A.'s ongoing commitment to its controversial 'pay-for-slay' practice, which financially rewards terrorists and their families.
Details of the Promotions and Convictions
According to the Israeli ministry, which cited information from the monitoring group Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), the two men were promoted shortly after their release in 2025. Alaa Al-Din Al-Bazian, convicted of planning the murder of Israeli civilian Zehava Ben-Ovadia, was granted the rank of major general by the P.A., a move that guarantees him a top-tier salary. This was reportedly Al-Bazian's third release from Israeli custody, having spent a cumulative total of 40 years in prison.
The second individual, Naji Arar, was promoted to the rank of colonel. Arar served 18 years in prison for his involvement in terrorist activities during the Second Intifada, a period from 2000 to 2005 marked by Palestinian suicide bombings and attacks that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians.
Accusations of 'Incentivizing Terror'
In a statement, Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the promotions as a clear reflection of the P.A.'s 'pay-for-slay' policy. The ministry accused the Palestinian leadership of continuing to 'incentivize terror' through such financial rewards, despite past assurances to Western critics that the program had been suspended.
'The Palestinian Authority is deeply embedded in a worldview founded on terrorism,' the ministry stated. This allegation points to a fundamental disagreement over policies that Israel and several Western nations view as encouraging violence, while the P.A. has historically described the payments as social welfare for families affected by the conflict.
Context and Implications
The release of these individuals was part of a broader deal to secure the freedom of hostages held by Hamas. The subsequent promotions by the Palestinian Authority have reignited tensions and diplomatic friction, calling into question the efficacy of such exchanges and the P.A.'s commitment to peace-building measures.
For observers in Canada and internationally, this development underscores the persistent and complex challenges in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It highlights the deep-seated issues surrounding security, justice, and the mechanisms that each side employs, which continue to be a major obstacle to any lasting resolution.
