The Palestinian Authority has promoted two convicted terrorists released from Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages held by Hamas, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
Alaa Al-Din Al-Bazian, convicted of planning the murder of Israeli civilian Zehava Ben-Ovadia, was freed as part of a deal to secure the release of hostages and has since been granted the rank of major general by the P.A., ensuring him a top salary. Naji Arar, another released terrorist, was promoted to the rank of colonel under the same policy.
Alaa Al-Din Al-Bazian, convicted of planning the murder of Zehava Ben-Ovadia, was released to secure the freedom of hostages held by Hamas.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) December 23, 2025
The Palestinian Authority now gave him the rank of major general in order to pay him a top “salary.”
Naji Arar, another terrorist also… pic.twitter.com/b5mJy5baPP
Tuesday’s X post cited Palestinian Media Watch, which first exposed the promotions of the two terrorists and provided further details regarding the two men, who were released in 2025.
Al-Bazian’s release was his third; he has spent a total of 40 years in prison, according to PMW. Arar served 18 years for his participation in the Second Intifada, a wave of Palestinian suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks from 2000 to about 2005 that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians.
The ministry said the move reflects the P.A.’s ongoing “pay-for-slay” practice—financially rewarding terrorists and their families—despite past claims by Ramallah that it had suspended the program to satisfy Western critics.
The Foreign Ministry accused the P.A. of continuing to “incentivize terror” through such payments.
“The Palestinian Authority is deeply embedded in a worldview founded on terrorism,” the Foreign Ministry said.
