In an open challenge to Palestinian leadership, Dr. Nadir Sa'id of Bir Zeit University condemned the violence in Palestinian society and placed the blame on the political and religious leaders. He blamed both Fatah and Hamas, including the Prime Minister and others ministers, for hundreds of killings. He condemned some Imams who preach the killing of women and beating of children. He criticized these actions, as well as the hate incitement that has created a Palestinian society permeated with violence. Children have learned that the use of violence achieves power and influence.

This self-criticism is rare in the PA media. If it continues, this is a positive development.

Click here to see Dr. Sa'id's condemnation of Palestinian leadership

The following are some of Sa'id's criticisms by topic, followed by an extended transcript.

Dr. Nadir Sa'id, director of Development Studies at Bir Zeit University:

About Palestinian children:

"The message to Palestinian children is that if you use violence...you can achieve influence and you can achieve rule."

"A whole generation was raised on the denial of the 'other' and erasing him completely, and to the possibility of killing him without any restraint or problem.”

About Incitement against women and others:

"There are Imams who incite to killing: killing of women, beating children, killing the 'other.'"

"What happened in Palestine in the last years is speech incitement of the highest degree. Violence speech of the highest degree in mosques, and occasionally in the media, from many politicians."

“There is no denying that crime, in general, needs environmental conditions, and especially environmental conditions of violence and environmental conditions of incitement speech."...