It was not clear which Palestinian leaders Friedman was criticizing. While Hamas officials praised the stabbing, no senior PA official commented on the attack.Later in his statement, Abu Rudeinah added that Friedman’s statements were providing pretexts for violence and said the Palestinians are committed to peaceful protest.“Instead of contributing to creating a climate for peace, Ambassador Friedman is increasing tensions and providing pretexts for violent acts like these that we reject,” Abu Rudeinah said, without clarifying to which violent acts he was alluding. “We affirm that the president and Palestinian leadership’s policy is popular, peaceful resistance.”In addition to Abu Rudeinah, Abbas has also expressed his displeasure with Friedman.In a speech in January, Abbas accused Friedman, who has a history of supporting settlements, of living in a settlement.Friedman resides in the US Ambassador’s residence in Herzliya.A US Embassy spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Abu Rudeinah also addressed the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict, contending that the only way to end ongoing violence in the Middle East and the world is through the establishment of a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital along 1967 borders.The Palestinians have long held that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the main source of violence in the Middle East.However, Israel contends that its conflict with the Palestinians is disconnected from the ongoing wars and disputes in Syria, Libya, Yemen and other places in the Middle East.20 years ago I gave an ambulance to Har Bracha hoping it would be used to deliver healthy babies. Instead, a man from Har Bracha was just murdered by a terrorist, leaving behind a wife and four children. Palestinian “leaders” have praised the killer. Praying for the BenGal family
— David M. Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) February 6, 2018