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Who is a Saboteur?
(Jerusalem Post) Khaled Abu Toameh - The Palestinians have always attacked Israel's Arabic language television and radio stations for using the word mukhariboon [saboteurs] to describe terrorists who launch attacks on Israel. The Israel Broadcasting Authority chose to use mukhariboon instead of irhabiyoon [terrorists] to depict the perpetrators as criminals. As far as Israel was concerned, there was no difference between those who set out to kill innocent civilians and bank robbers or thieves. Last week, only a few hours after the suicide attack in Tel Aviv, PA Chairman Abbas stunned many Palestinian and Arab viewers when he appeared on television to condemn the "saboteurs." Abbas condemned "this act which is aimed at sabotaging the hopes and goals of our people." It was the first time ever that a Palestinian leader had endorsed Israel's terminology. Yet Abbas remains almost a lone voice in the desert. The PA-controlled media did not rush to endorse the term "saboteur."