Ramallah street named for terrorist

JERUSALEM (JTA) — A street in Ramallah has been named after a Palestinian terrorist responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis.

The Ramallah street, on which the P.A. presidential compound is located, is named after Yehiyeh Ayash, also known as "the engineer," who was responsible for several suicide bombings in Israel in the mid 1990s. Ayash was killed by Israel in 1996 when an explosive was placed inside his cell phone.

"This is an outrageous glorification of terrorism by the Palestinian Authority," read a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office released late Wednesday night. "Right next to a presidential compound in Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority has named a street after a terrorist who murdered hundreds of innocent Israeli men, women and children. The world must forcefully condemn this official Palestinian incitement for terrorism and against peace."

According to Israel’s Channel 10, which reporting the naming, a sign erected on the street reads, " Yehiyeh Ayash, 1966-1996, born in Nablus, studied electrical engineering in Bir Zeit University. Was a member of the Iz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and was linked by Israel to a number of bombings. Was assassinated by Israel in his Beit Lahia home in 5.1.1996."

The street naming comes a month after a public square in Ramallah was named after Dalal Mugrabi, a female Palestinian terrorist responsible for the deaths of 38 Israelis in the Coastal Road Massacre in 1978. A public ceremony scheduled during a visit to the region by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was postponed.

The American Jewish Committee condemned the street naming. “If President Abbas is truly committed to a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this public glorification of terrorism is the absolute wrong message to convey to both Israelis and Palestinians,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris.