Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Vows to Continue Funding Families of "Martyrs" and Prisoners: Even If We Had One Single Penny Left

At a ceremony held in Ramallah on July 23, 2018, to honor Palestinian prisoners and "martyrs," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said: "If we had one single penny left, we would spend it on the families of the martyrs and the prisoners." After awarding medals and decorations to several released prisoners and families of martyrs, Abbas said: "We consider the martyrs and the prisoners to be stars in the sky of the Palestinian people and struggle." The ceremony was reported on the official Palestinian Authority TV channel. At a ceremony held in Ramallah on July 23 to honor Palestinian prisoners and "martyrs," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said: "If we had one single penny left, we would spend it on the families of the martyrs and the prisoners." After awarding medals and decorations to several released prisoners and families of martyrs, Abbas said: "We consider the martyrs and the prisoners to be stars in the sky of the Palestinian people and struggle." The ceremony was reported on the official Palestinian Authority TV channel.

Mahmoud Abbas: "If we had a single penny left, we would spend it on the families of the martyrs and the prisoners, and only then on the rest of the people. We value and respect this group of people. The way we see it, they are paving the path for the liberation of Palestine for the sake of future generations."

Narrator: "With these words, President Mahmoud Abbas received a group of released prisoners. He honored the leaders of the prisoner's movement. They have sacrificed their entire lives defending the cause of their people and their homeland. The president awarded several martyrs and prisoners the Jerusalem Medal, in honor of their role in the national struggle. They have excelled in the defense of the cause of their people and country. The president also awarded the Liberation Star to some released prisoners – one of the decorations of the State of Palestine, in appreciation of their role and their struggle in the defense of the cause of their people and country."

Mahmoud Abbas: "We consider the martyrs and the prisoners to be stars in the sky of the Palestinian people and struggle. They have top priority in everything. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I want to say that in 1965, only a few days after the Palestinian revolution was launched, the first mission to be carried out by the martyr Yasser Arafat was to establish the institution for the welfare of the families of Palestinian mujahideen and martyrs. When asked why, he responded: 'These are the pioneers, and if we do not look after them, no one will. We will look after them and protect them and their families.'"