DJ US Ridge: Would Have To Take Any Hamas Threat Seriously
WASHINGTON (AP)--U.S. Homeland Security Tom Ridge said Monday Hamas was a terrorist organization and if it threatened the U.S. or "our interests, either abroad or domestically, we have to take the threat seriously."
Ridge made the comment in a meeting with reporters in Washington.
A statement from Hamas threatened retaliation against the U.S. after Israel killed Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the founder of the group.
"The Zionists didn't carry out their operation without getting the consent of the terrorist American administration and it (the United States) must take responsibility for this crime," Hamas said in a statement. "All the Muslims of the world will be honored to join in on the retaliation for this crime."
In the past, Hamas has refrained from targeting U.S. citizens or interests, instead focusing on fund-raising and recruitment within the U.S., according to senior U.S. law enforcement officials.