Mick Hartley

Further to the release of Ahmad Daqamseh, the Island of Peace massacre killer (here), MEMRI have put together a compilation of clips showing Jordanian MPs rejoicing in his freedom, hailing him as a hero, and saying that this was a day of celebration for all of Jordan:

There's also Abdel-Bari Atwan, editor-in-chief of "Al-Rai Al-Youm" and former editor-in-chief of the London-based "Al-Quds Al-Arabi":

"The entire Arab nation is celebrating (Daqamseh's release), not just the Jordanians. The vast majority of this nation considers Ahmed Daqamseh a national hero, an Islamic hero, and an Arab hero, in the full sense of the word. That man defended the honor of the Jordanian land and of the Arab nation, after he was subjected to the mockery of (Israeli) girls…..

"That man has become a symbol in the full sense of the word. He has become a beacon for many people, who yearn for the good old Arab days, when pan-Arab sentiments still existed, and most Arab regimes still considered Israel to be the enemy."

Daqamseh, let us remind ourselves, wasn't engaged in a heroic struggle with Israeli troops. He shot and killed seven unarmed Jewish schoolgirls, aged 13 and 14, in cold blood.