Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas ratified death sentences against three Palestinians

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas ratified death sentences against three Palestinians collaborators - accused of tipping off Israeli forces as to the whereabouts of wanted gunmen and fugitives responsible for terrorist atrocities against Israel. The three, due to be executed by firing squad on charges of ‘high treason’ joined some 50 other Palestinian criminals on death row. Abbas reportedly asked Islamic authorities to expedite the executions in demonstration of a toughening attitude to the state of lawlessness in the territories.