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 danced, clapped, waved Palestinian flags, and distributed sweets. Many shots were fired into the air.

There were reports that Palestinian police were trying to prevent demonstrations of joy, with limited success.

Official PA paper praises suicide attacks 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..."

Translation supplied by Palestinian Media Watch.

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