CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - Canadian parliamentarian Irwin Cotler says the Palestinian Authority (PA) is encouraging a culture of hate among its people.

Meetings with PA officials during a recent trip to Israel confirmed the former Canadian justice minister's views that the Palestinian Authority, from its president on down through the ranks, is producing a "culture of incitement."

"People don't realize that Abbas signed a law on the very day there was a suicide terrorist attack in December 2005 against Israel, providing monthly stipends for the families of suicide bombers," Cotler said.

"In January 2007, Abbas addressed a large crowd, estimated at over 100,000, to which he said 'the sons of Israel are mentioned in the Koran [Islamic holy book] as those who are corrupting humanity on Earth."

While the West recognizes Hamas as a terror entity, Cotler said it ignores the PA president's anti-Israel rhetoric and the hate promoted by the government, school system and media, which is "the greatest threat to a just and lasting peace."

"Abbas has never recognized Israel's legitimacy as a Jewish state," he said.

Source: israel national news