09:45 Sep 08, '05 / 4 Elul 5765

Palestinian Media Watch reports:
Radio and television sermons by senior PA religious officials in the past week have presented the US as foremost among the "heretical" countries, and as an enemy trying to dismantle the Islamic world.

In the presence of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, one religious leader called for Iraqis to intensify terrorist uprisings against American soldiers.

The timing of these anti-US sermons is particularly significant, and not just because they come on the heels of the $50-million grant from the US. The PA has received considerable worldwide criticism for the hatred and calls for violence in its official sermons. In recent months, it has been reported that the texts of these sermons are now presented to PA officials for approval before the public broadcasts.

The following is the report of the recent signing of an agreement for $50 million in US aid to the PA, followed by the two Palestinian Authority sermons of September 2, 2005:
"The [Palestinian] National Authority yesterday signed an agreement with the US Government, to the value of 50 million dollars. According to the agreement, Washington will provide the National Authority with a grant for funding housing and infrastructure projects. On the Palestinian side, Finance Minister Dr. Salam Fayad, signed [the agreement] and for the American side, the US Consul General, Jacob Willis, and the vice manager of the US Agency for International Development, David Harden, signed the agreement."

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 25, 2005]