The Palestinian Authority governor for Nablus (biblical Shechem) and the surrounding area was panned last week when he dared to criticize the phenomenon of glorifying terrorism.

In particular, Ibrahim Ramadan said he was displeased with Palestinian mothers encouraging and sending their children out to become “martyrs.”

“There are perverse mothers out there who have sent their sons out for suicide missions and people think that such a mother is a fighter, but someone who sends her son to his death is no mother,” he told a Palestinian radio station.

The remarks were quickly condemned by various Palestinian groups, especially Hamas, which demanded that Ramadan resign with what dignity he has left.

“The statements are condemnable, irresponsible and outside of the national and moral framework to which our struggling and steadfast people is committed,” read a statement from Hamas.

A local Nablus terror ring that includes members of Ramadan’s own Fatah movement also responded harshly, accusing the governor of disrespecting the “mothers of martyrs,” and similarly calling on him to step down.

It should be noted that the Palestinian Authority itself encourages “martyrdom” by offering generous stipends and salaries to the families of those who are jailed or killed while engaging in violence against Israel.

Also worth pointing out is that Hamas, which holds the total opposite view of that expressed by Ramadan, is the most popular Palestinian political party at the polls.

That voices like Ramadan’s are so unwelcome in Palestinian society speaks to the true underlying obstacle to peace, and the ongoing failure of the Palestinian Authority to meet its obligation to educate the population for peaceful coexistence with Israel.