Coincident with my previous post, here's a link to the Middle East Media Researsh Institute, a valuable resource for getting the "jist" of the latest and greatest in current Arab thought:

http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SR2403

Palestinian Authority Sermons 2000-2003

By: Steven Stalinsky
Introduction
The following report consists of Palestinian sermons from 2000-2003. Each Khatib (preacher) is a paid employee of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The sermons are broadcast live every Friday at noon from mosques under control of the PA and are shown on PA television. Part I of this report includes the common themes of the sermons, such as: calls for the destruction of the U.S., the perceived American Crusader war against Islam, honoring Shahids and the rewards of the martyrs, educating children to martyrdom, and antisemitism, including calls for the killing of Jews. Part II includes Palestinian leaders being questioned by Western journalists about the content of the sermons, and is followed by Part III, the transcripts of the Friday sermons.


Part I: Common Themes
Calls for the Destruction of the U.S.

"Allah wreak vengeance on the Jews and the Americans" is a common theme heard in PA sermons, as with Sheikh Ahmad Abd-Al-Razek's sermon on October 4, 2002. [1] Frequent calls for the destruction of the main allies of the U.S. - Britain and Israel - are also heard. As Sheikh Ibrahim Madhi stated, "Allah willing, this unjust state will be erased - Israel will be erased; this unjust state, the United States, will be erased; this unjust state, Britain, will be erased." [2]

Themes of Arab hatred of the U.S. within sermons often have Islamic historical undertones. For example, the leading Palestinian religious figure, Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories Sheikh Ikrimeh Sabri, stated in a sermon on PA radio, "Allah, destroy the U.S., its helpers and its agents. Allah, destroy Britain, its helpers and its agents. Allah, prepare those who will unite the Muslims and march in the steps of Saladin. Allah, we ask you for forgiveness before death, and mercy and forgiveness after death. Allah, grant victory to Islam and the Muslims…" [3] The U.S. and its allies are also commonly referred to as Christian and Jewish Crusaders who must be fought. For example, Dr. Ahmad Abu Halabiya, speaking at a mosque named after UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, stated, "Allah the almighty has called upon us not to ally with the Jews or the Christians, not to like them, not to become their partners, not to support them, and not to sign agreements with them… Allah, deal with the Jews, your enemies and the enemies of Islam. Deal with the Crusaders, and America, and Europe behind them…" [4]

2003: The Year the American Crusader War Against Islam Began

In the year 2003, a common theme which emerged in PA sermons is that the U.S has begun a Crusader war against the Arabs. Sheikh Muhammad Abu Al-Hunud stated in a sermon on March 28, 2003, "If, God forbid, something happens to Iraq, the aggression and the Crusade will turn tomorrow against the Koran… God forbid, his second assault is on the Koran, [he wants] to change verses and to mess with Allah's book, to Americanize the region, Americanize the religion, Americanize the Koran, Americanize Muhammad's message… To my brothers in Iraq, to the President of Iraq, to the Iraqi leadership, to the Iraqi people… Strike, my brother; may your right arm, oh proud Iraq, be strong… strike Allah's enemies with it. Strike with it the enemies of humanity… from the pulpits of Al-Azhar and other mosques around the world, that any Muslim who does not stand by Iraq and support it against the American-British-Crusaders cruel attack… Allah, grant victory to the Iraqi army… Allah, defeat America and its allies… Allah, purify the Islamic soil from the American and British treason and defilement… Allah, make their possessions a booty for the Muslims, Allah, annihilate them and their weapons, Allah, make their children orphans and their women widows…" [5]

Con't...

Commentary.

One has to really ask themselves exactly what form of govermental and social system
any Palestinian state eventually takes. Aside from the dubious rational for encouraging or rewarding nationalist movements amongst people who lack any of the traditional definitions of a distinct nationality (unique religion, language, culture, or even cuisine), we must ask ourselves whether we're going to permit ourselves to be complicit in the creation of a militant Islamic state.

Personally speaking, I could care less if a Palestinian State is created. Anyone who rationally analyzes the scenario recognizes that it will not be a viable economy or society. Furthermore, it will be far less tolerant of non-Palestinians than the Israelis are of their Arab citizenry (which constitutes 1/5 of their population).

But it appears that a Palestinian state is necessary to diffuse regional tension and militant rhetoric that sustains much of the Islamic militancy, as well as undermining US credibility in the region. Thus, the Bush administration will likely be facing increasing pressure to obtain some kind of peace treaty between the parties, even if it's "coerced", or purchased through bribes between the two parties (ala Camp David).

But it's clear that Israel is going to pursue their wall.. And currently I'm of the opinion that maybe it's the right thing to do... Walls can always be torn down when the animosity and distrust calm down..

But to get to that point, the kinds of militant diatribes we see evidenced in the above link will have to be confronted and defeated.

The Central Scrutinizer