Palestinian researcher Hani Al-Masri argues that recognizing Israel as a Jewish state would erase the Palestinian narrative and defends payments to terrorists as a core element of Palestinian identity.
Palestinian researcher Hani Al-Masri made a series of blunt statements regarding Israel, the Palestinian Authority (PA), and October 7 in an interview posted on December 11, 2025, by Palestinian content creator Ahmad Bigaw.
According to Al-Masri, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas privately described October 7 as “the greatest day in Palestinian history,” reflecting what he portrayed as deep Palestinian approval of the Hamas-led massacre. Al-Masri framed the attack as a moment that reshaped the Palestinian struggle, despite the mass murder of Israeli civilians.
Al-Masri also rejected any recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, claiming such recognition would invalidate the Palestinian narrative entirely. He argued there is a critical distinction between accepting Israel as a political reality and acknowledging its Jewish national character, which he said would mean relinquishing Palestinian claims and rights.