HAMAS DENIES KINDAPPING BUT SUPPORTS THE KIDNAPPERS
Randy L. Harrington
June 29, 2006
DAMASCUS, SYRIA—In a Hamas news conference, aides to Khaled Mashaal gave praise to the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, but claimed that Hamas played no official role in it. Israel claims that Mashaal planned the abduction and has threatened to have him assassinated.
The accusations have put Mashaal at the center of the debate over who is running Hamas, who has the Palestinian power in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the Syrian capitol.
Mashaal has not made any public comments since Sunday's kidnapping of Israeli Soldier Gilad Shalit, and it has been suggested that he has gone underground for fear that Israel may try to have him killed. Mashaal's aides have denied that he authorized the kidnapping, but they indicate that they are pleased with the kidnappers.
In an Associated Press interview on Wednesday, Moussa Abu Mazouk, one of Mashaal's aides said that “the resistance fighters have displayed moral and operational superiority over the Israeli Army...they carried out an act, that I believe, the Palestinian people greatly appreciate.”
Over the lat decade after each suicide bombing and terrorist attack, Hamas has denied involvement, but has praised the outcome. Hamas leaders have always been careful to attempt to distance themselves from the actual bombings and attacks.
In this most recent act, even though Hamas leaders denied involvement, Hamas' military organization was one of three groups that claimed responsibility. Marzouk said “The military people, the resistance fighters and the mujahedeen are the decision-makers in everything that's related to the prisoner.” He claimed that the military leadership “is independent, their planning is independent, their decisions are independent.” In denying central Hamas control of the kidnapping he said “It would be stupid for anyone to assume that anyone from outside...or inside the Gaza Strip can talk to the military people.”
Under Hamas it is the political wing that dictates general policy for the entire organization, despite denial by Hamas. Hamas denies political planning, but through Marzouk he insisted that the kidnapped Israeli Solider is being treated well by his abductors. “For sure, he's in hands that will protect him and treat him well. Our morals and out religion dictate that we do this to every prisoner” Marzouk said.
Marzouk was asked if his statement was based on information, and he replied and laughed “These are facts.”
Israel doesn't buy the Hams arguments made Wednesday, and Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon said Wednesday that “Khaled Mashaal is someone who is overseeing, actually commanding terror acts, [and] is definitely a target.”
Mashaal lives in exile in Syria, he heads the Hamas' political bureau and is rumored to be the highest Hamas leader. He was a professor of physics before his move to Jordan in 1990, and his rise to power with Hamas.
Hamas has always claimed that it has no political hierarchy and that all political decisions are reached among all Islamic leaders in the organization through the “shura” process. The Hamas “shura” policy has left the lines of command and control unclear between its central political leadership, and the factions in Gaza and the West Bank.
In April of this year Mashaal accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Addas of Fatah of being a traitor to the Palestinian people, as well as to Islam. Since then he has been keeping a low profile, and already high tension between the Palestinians and Hamas were made worse.
Hamas clearly benefits from the kidnapping of the Israeli soldier. Marzouk said that it will help to push an end to the international boycott on the Hamas-led government and it will also help lead to the release of the Palestinians held by Israel. Marzouk said “if they want calm, they have to break the sanctions.” He went on to say “We don't object to a political solution. But it's up to Israel to accept the Egyptian mediation to talk about conditions for a deal regarding the Israeli prisoner.”
SOURCES/CONTRIBUTORS: UPI; IBRAHAIM IMANIN CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY.
Copyright 2006 Randy L. Harrington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The accusations have put Mashaal at the center of the debate over who is running Hamas, who has the Palestinian power in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the Syrian capitol.
Mashaal has not made any public comments since Sunday's kidnapping of Israeli Soldier Gilad Shalit, and it has been suggested that he has gone underground for fear that Israel may try to have him killed. Mashaal's aides have denied that he authorized the kidnapping, but they indicate that they are pleased with the kidnappers.
In an Associated Press interview on Wednesday, Moussa Abu Mazouk, one of Mashaal's aides said that “the resistance fighters have displayed moral and operational superiority over the Israeli Army...they carried out an act, that I believe, the Palestinian people greatly appreciate.”
Over the lat decade after each suicide bombing and terrorist attack, Hamas has denied involvement, but has praised the outcome. Hamas leaders have always been careful to attempt to distance themselves from the actual bombings and attacks.
In this most recent act, even though Hamas leaders denied involvement, Hamas' military organization was one of three groups that claimed responsibility. Marzouk said “The military people, the resistance fighters and the mujahedeen are the decision-makers in everything that's related to the prisoner.” He claimed that the military leadership “is independent, their planning is independent, their decisions are independent.” In denying central Hamas control of the kidnapping he said “It would be stupid for anyone to assume that anyone from outside...or inside the Gaza Strip can talk to the military people.”
Under Hamas it is the political wing that dictates general policy for the entire organization, despite denial by Hamas. Hamas denies political planning, but through Marzouk he insisted that the kidnapped Israeli Solider is being treated well by his abductors. “For sure, he's in hands that will protect him and treat him well. Our morals and out religion dictate that we do this to every prisoner” Marzouk said.
Marzouk was asked if his statement was based on information, and he replied and laughed “These are facts.”
Israel doesn't buy the Hams arguments made Wednesday, and Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon said Wednesday that “Khaled Mashaal is someone who is overseeing, actually commanding terror acts, [and] is definitely a target.”
Mashaal lives in exile in Syria, he heads the Hamas' political bureau and is rumored to be the highest Hamas leader. He was a professor of physics before his move to Jordan in 1990, and his rise to power with Hamas.
Hamas has always claimed that it has no political hierarchy and that all political decisions are reached among all Islamic leaders in the organization through the “shura” process. The Hamas “shura” policy has left the lines of command and control unclear between its central political leadership, and the factions in Gaza and the West Bank.
In April of this year Mashaal accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Addas of Fatah of being a traitor to the Palestinian people, as well as to Islam. Since then he has been keeping a low profile, and already high tension between the Palestinians and Hamas were made worse.
Hamas clearly benefits from the kidnapping of the Israeli soldier. Marzouk said that it will help to push an end to the international boycott on the Hamas-led government and it will also help lead to the release of the Palestinians held by Israel. Marzouk said “if they want calm, they have to break the sanctions.” He went on to say “We don't object to a political solution. But it's up to Israel to accept the Egyptian mediation to talk about conditions for a deal regarding the Israeli prisoner.”
SOURCES/CONTRIBUTORS: UPI; IBRAHAIM IMANIN CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY.
Copyright 2006 Randy L. Harrington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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