To: JDN who wrote (179469 ) 9/11/2001 4:01:53 PM From: Nadine Carroll Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 769667 The Palestinians are dancing in the streets. They have chosen "euphoria in the ruins" over any hope of a future. What imbeciles. ************************* Palestinian officials condemn attacks, strive to contain popular joy By israelinsider staff September 11, 2001 Updated 22:10 Israel time Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat condemned the attacks on the United States: "We are completely shocked. This is unbelievable. Unbelievable. Unbelievable." The PA denied any involvement in the attacks. Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Yassin condemned the attack on the United States and said that his organization's actions were limited to "occupied Palestine." After an initial claim of responsibility was made in the name of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, but was quickly denied. A spokesperson for the DFLP used the opportunity to criticize American support for Israel. Palestinians celebrate attack with flag-waving, sweets Despite the condemnations of Palestinian leaders, Israel Radio reported this afternoon that Palestinians thronged to the streets in celebration of the attacks on the United States in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, and in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Celebrants waved Palestinian flags, and sweets were distributed to children. There are also reports of shooting in some places but it is not clear if it is Palestinian police trying to clear streets of celebrants, or Palestinian celebrants shooting in the air. Official PA paper this morning praised suicide attack on US, Israel Earlier today, before the assaults on the United States, the official Palestinian Authority daily, Al Hayat Al Jadida, published an editorial praising suicide attacks on the United States and Israel: "The suicide bombers of today are the noble successors of their noble predecessors...the Lebanese suicide bombers, who taught the US Marines a tough lesson in [Lebanon] ...and then, with no preconditions, they threw the last of the remaining enemy [Israeli] soldiers out of the [security] zone. These suicide bombers are the salt of the earth, the engines of history...They are the most honorable [people] among us..." The paper also published a cartoon showing a Palestinian suicide bomber chasing an Israeli soldier.