Seventeen-year-old Palestinian "martyr" Ali Abu Ghannam was killed by Israeli security forces after he attacked personnel with a cleaver at a check post in east Jerusalem. PHOTO: Facebook.

In response to recent terrorist attacks carried out by Palestinians against Israeli civilians, Hamas issued praise, while the Palestinian Authority called their occurrence an “Israeli fabrication.”

In the last few days, several terrorist attacks took place in the Jerusalem and Hebron areas. A border police officer was stabbed and moderately wounded in Hebron, a female police officer was almost stabbed at the Al-Za’im checkpoint in east Jerusalem, a firebomb attack was carried out on the Jerusalem-Modi’in road, and three police officers were injured in a car-ramming attack in Al-Tur in Jerusalem. Israeli security forces shot dead both Palestinians involved in the stabbing attacks.

In response, the Palestinian Authority issued condemnations of Israel. It claimed the stabbings were fabricated by Israel in order to “justify the racially motivated assassination” of the two Palestinians.

It called the “assassination” of the “martyr” Ali Abu Ghannam – a 17-year-old Palestinian who attempted to attack Israeli soldiers with a cleaver – an act of “organized terror” and a “crime against humanity,” saying it was was “an integral part of the roster of ongoing Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people, [crimes] which the PA intends to refer to the International Criminal Court.”

The Palestinian Authority president likewise issued a condemnation, saying it was a “crime” carried out by Israeli soldiers, “under the fabricated excuse of [thwarting] an attempted stabbing of an Israeli soldier at the Al-Za’im checkpoint.”

Hamas, on the other hand, did not deny that the attacks occurred, but instead lauded them. Hamas spokesman, Hussam Bardan, said, “Hamas welcomes all forms of resistance in the West Bank and East Jerusalem,” commenting that, “these operations were unique [acts of] heroism and courage that deserve everyone’s appreciation and respect.” He added that, “The occupation can expect further surprises in the future from the people and from the men of resistance.”

Hamas’ websites and Facebook pages also carried praises of the attacks, and called for an armed uprising – an Intifada – in response to the incidents.