RAMALLAH, West Bank (WNB) - A Facebook post by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has apparently ignited bitter infighting between the PA and Islamic forces united with them against Israel.
The post, intended to encourage the Islamic factions battling Israel, features a stylized image of three Islamic fighters with the al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of Rock in the background. The conflict appears to be based on the fact the fighters are wearing colorful thongs and presumably gay.
Shortly after the post appeared on Facebook, Hamas and Islamic jihad fighters attacked Palestinian Authority offices, providing Israel with a welcome lull in the rocket attacks against its cities.
A spokesman for Abbas emphatically denied responsibility for the image, insisting it was the work of Israeli intelligence. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the accusation "preposterous," and congratulated Abbas and his allies for "having the courage to just be yourselves."