(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Pursuant to Abu Mazen's incitement speech at the UN General Assembly, the Cabinet, today (Sunday, 2 December 2012), received a special briefing on incitement in the Palestinian Authority.

The briefing was presented by Strategic Affairs Ministry Director-General Yossi Kuperwasser, the coordinator of the professional team that is monitoring the issue and which is constantly updating the "Culture of Peace and Incitement Index in the Palestinian Authority".

In the period under review there was a negative record in expressions of hatred and incitement against Israel as seen in remarks by senior Palestinian Authority officials, on official websites, in the media and in the Palestinian Authority education system. Examples were shown - inter alia - of the use of Hitler's ideas, the adoration of suicide terrorists, anti-Semitic caricatures, the complete ignoring of Israel on official maps, calls for a return to Jaffa and Haifa, etc.

Abu Mazen's two recent UN speeches should be especially noted; they included expressions of severe incitement and have greatly contributed to the education towards hatred.

It was also noted in the briefing that the Palestinian education system has no plan whatsoever for encouraging coexistence and an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:

"This is additional proof that this is not a dispute over land but a denial of the existence of the State of Israel. Their unwillingness to accept a Jewish state in any borders whatsoever is the root of the conflict. When there is a map that shows Palestine over the entire area of Israel, there is a conflict here over the very existence of the State of Israel in all its territory. The Palestinian Authority is unwilling to move towards accepting the existence of the State of Israel. It is poisoning the Palestinian public.

The Palestinians want to use the diplomatic process in order to bring about the end of the State of Israel. Going to the UN is part of this. The Palestinian Authority is waging a struggle over the very existence of the State of Israel. While we are prepared to recognize them, they deny our existence. We would have long since reached a solution if they had wanted it.

As long as the Palestinian Authority educates the younger generation to hate, how is it at all possible to talk about peace?

They are raising the younger generation to hate. They are educating for the destruction of Israel. I do not see here any discourse for peace; there is no discourse that prepares the way for coexistence. The discourse is one of hatred and the destruction of the State of Israel."

Prime Minister Netanyahu directed that the matter be brought to the attention of the countries who voted in favor of the Palestinian move, which contravenes all the agreements.

Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Yaalon said, "As long as the Palestinian Authority educates its people toward hatred, and non-recognition, of Israel, there will not be peace. They are sending deep messages and this education is being absorbed by all sections of the populace, especially the younger generation."