 The PFLP claimed responsibility for the assassination and stated that it was carried out as a revenge for the killing of the PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa in August 2001.Rabah Muhana, a senior PFLP official, said "The Israelis killed one prominent leader and Mr Ze'evi is one of those who have very, very right-wing points of view on discrimination—he wants to deport Palestinians and he is with the most severe terrorism against the Palestinians".The assassination of Ze'evi was a shock to the Israeli public and left a lasting impression on many Israelis.