by MEMRI
Hamas's reaction to
the recent abduction of three Israeli youths was one of satisfaction.
Hamas members and supporters – who generally refer to the abductees as
"soldiers," even though none of them are, and two of them are only
16-years-old – called the abduction a legitimate action and an
opportunity to expand armed operations to the West Bank. They also
stated that it marks the start of a new intifada and the end of the
Palestinian Authority (PA). Columnists on websites affiliated with the
movement harshly criticized the PA for its security coordination with
Israel and called on the people of the West Bank not to help Israel in
locating the abductees.
The following are excerpts from reactions to the abduction by Hamas officials and on media belonging to or affiliated with the movement.
The following are excerpts from reactions to the abduction by Hamas officials and on media belonging to or affiliated with the movement.
Hamas Spokesman: Resistance Is Legitimate; This Is An Opportunity To Extend The Confrontation To The West Bank
Hamas spokesman Hussam Badran urged the people of
the West Bank to confront the Israeli security forces. He wrote on his
Facebook page: "We call upon our people in all parts of the West Bank to
confront the occupation, whether as part of mass confrontations or
privately-initiated resistance [operations]... This is an opportunity to
widen the circle of confrontation, and restore the West Bank to its
natural status as the spearhead of the resistance."[1]
The deputy speaker of the Palestinian parliament,
Ahmad Bahar of Hamas, charged the prime minister and interior minister
of the newly-formed national unity government, Rami Hamdallah, "to
instruct the Palestinian security apparatuses to stop the security
coordination [with Israel] and silence the voices calling to help the
occupation locate the three abductees." He added: "Resistance is a
legitimate right [recognized] by all monotheistic religions and by U.N.
resolutions. It is the right of our people to resist the occupation by
every means until its removal from our lands."[2]
Hamas official Isma'il Al-Ashqar said that "the
waves of arrests that the occupation forces are carrying out in the West
Bank are clear proof of their perplexity... These arrests do not scare
the resistance and will not detract from its determination." He added:
"The resistance will reach the occupation and its settlers within the
occupied territories."[3]
The West Bank -- The Next Arena Of Conflict
Columnist Iyad Al-Qara wrote on the Hamas website:
"The unique resistance operation carried out in the West Bank fills the
Palestine public with joy and glee and enjoys [this public's] support
and encouragement... The abduction of the soldiers [i.e., the youths] in
Hebron is resounding proof of the public's unanimous support for the
abduction of soldiers, no matter what their repercussions, [and also
proves] that the abduction of soldiers is the best and most important
way to resolve the issue of the [Palestinian] prisoners incarcerated in
the jails of the Israeli occupation... The West Bank is now moving into a
new and unique phase of resistance activity, and it emphasizes that it
will be the arena of conflict in this next phase.[4]
The Palestinian People Has Not Lost Faith In Itself And Its Resistance
Prominent Hamas member Dr. Yousuf Rizqa wrote:
"There is no tangible information on the Hebron operation. Three
settlers or soldiers are currently in the hands of the Palestinian
resistance, [and] Netanyahu's government and its security apparatuses
have no information on the operation, or even a lead... The abduction
was planned professionally and carried out cleverly and bravely. This
courage is perhaps the main reason for its success so far. The people of
Hebron have a long heritage of courage, and they possess an iron
will...
"When there is occupation, there is resistance, and
the Hebron operation is neither the first nor the last [operation to be
carried out] under the racist occupation that shows no mercy to
children, the elderly, or prisoners. Resistance is the last resort of
the Palestinian people, who have no other choice. The negotiation plan
of [PA President Mahmoud] 'Abbas does not provide the wounded
Palestinian people with an alternative [to resistance], nor does the
international community provide the Palestinians with any hope. That is
why the Palestinian places his faith in his gun and his resistance...
"The Hebron operation, like the abduction of Gilad
Shalit, will be burned into the consciousness of the occupation and the
leaders of the settlement [enterprise], causing them to realize that the
occupation and settlements have no future and that the Palestinian
people, which has lost faith in the Arab and international system, has
not lost faith in itself and its resistance ability. [It will also cause
them to realize] that the waning of the Arab Spring revolutions will
not provide the occupier with an opportunity to continue the occupation –
for the Palestinians have decided to rely on themselves and not to wait
for the Arabs or the international [community]."[5]
The Cooperation With The Occupation Spells The Beginning Of The End For The PA
Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, editor-in-chief of the
Hamas-affiliated website Siraj Al-I'lam, wrote: "The disappearance of
three Israeli soldiers and the possibility that they are in the hands of
the resistance is good news for over 6,000 [Palestinian] prisoners whom
the occupation treats with arrogance and brutality [in terms of] their
humanitarian needs. This is a succinct message from the resistance,
[conveying] that the voice of the hunger-striking [prisoners] has been
heard...
"It's well known that an operation in which 10
Israeli soldiers are killed is easier for the occupation than the
disappearance or abduction of single soldier [snatched] from [Israel's]
military forces, which are armed to the teeth. Abducting and hiding
soldiers uncovers the weakness and fragility of this entity [i.e.,
Israel], which boasts of its strength and its intelligence apparatuses.
Three soldiers have disappeared into a well-guarded hideout, built like a
maze, and the enemy and his arrogant army, who monitor [the area], do
not know how, when and where they have gone. Moreover, the abduction and
concealment of soldiers revitalizes the [Palestinian] cause and pours
new life into its dried up veins.
"The position of the PA is condemned by all
Palestinians, and is inconceivable [even] in the eyes of President
'Abbas's own associates. Real coordination activity is taking place,
aimed at discovering the fate of the soldiers, even though they
disappeared in Area C, which is not controlled by the [Palestinian]
apparatuses...
"The PA's attempts to gain an achievement by
helping the occupation locate the hostages spells the beginning of its
end and its ejection by the people. Hence, I advise [our] brothers in
the security apparatuses to refuse to perform any action that will serve
the occupation in this matter, and I hope that our people stop relaying
information to this entity at this time, no matter how trivial. Any
[action] by the [Palestinian] apparatuses and officers that helps the
occupation is a mark of shame that will follow [these officers] and
their sons.
"This three-pronged operation is a good opportunity
for real changes in the West Bank, and it will mark the beginning of an
intifada, be the consequences what they may. Gaza is not far from the
arena [of events], and the threats voiced by Netanyahu and his
government, and their holding Hamas responsible, suggest [that they
have] hostile intentions towards the Gaza Strip.
"The Palestinian resistance in Gaza, all factions
included, is ready to repel any expected attack. It will be able to
stand fast and endure. Any Israeli aggression will encounter a
steadfast, united and powerful people, with an [iron] will that shall
take everyone by surprise. This is the opportunity we were waiting for
to thwart Israel's plans in the region, [which are aimed at] dividing
the Palestinian ranks, obstructing the resistance and severing it from
its Arab and Islamic surroundings."[6]
Endnotes:
MEMRI
Source: http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/8035.htm
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
No comments:
Post a Comment