Posted on 08/20/2005 9:03:31 PM PDT by anotherview
By Ali Waked
Today the small jihad to free our land has ended and the larger jihad to build our homeland has begun, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday in a speech to high school students in Gaza.
Hamas: Ready for elections
Photo: Reuters
Abbas sets election date for January 25
Photo: AP
"We must explain to the world that he who continues with the security fence and settlements does not want peace," he said. "It is clear the Israelis must stop these actions; we are interested in a permanent peace plan that would include a solution to the refugee issue and a settler-free West Bank."
During his speech, Abbas emphasized the PA's decision regarding land arrangements following Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, adding that anyone violating this law would be punished.
Abbas signed a decree on Saturday giving his government control over all lands and assets left behind by Israeli troops and settlers. The decree said no one can make personal use of the real estate until ownership has been sorted out.
Some 3,000 Palestinian homes are to be built in the evacuated Gush Katif settlement of Morag with money donated by the Arab Emirates, Abbas said, reiterating his promise to build new homes for all Rafah residents who lost their houses in the Intifada.
In addition, Abbas announced that legislative elections would be held on January 25, a move that could boost his international credibility and encourage his biggest political rival, Hamas, to hold its fire during the Gaza withdrawal.
Hamas ready for elections
Meanwhile, dozens of masked Hamas gunmen briefly took over Gaza's central square on Saturday, announcing they would not halt attacks, despite Israel's ongoing withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Their appearance in the park was a direct challenge to Abbas, who has appealed to factions not to flaunt their weapons in public. It also underscored the reluctance of police to confront gunmen.
However, Israel has warned it would launch a major ground offensive if soldiers and settlers were to come under fire during the pullout.
The group could lose public support if Hamas attacks invite massive Israeli retaliation, something Hamas campaigners may not want to risk as they prepare for the legislative election.
Hamas' political leaders welcomed the setting of the election date and West Bank leader Hassan Yousef said his group was ready for its first national contest.
In recent months, Hamas has made a strong showing in several rounds of municipal elections, and was also expected to do well in the parliament vote.
"We have prepared our list of candidates, and we have even reserved a seat for the Christian minorities," Yousef said.
Associated Press contributed to the report
First Published: 08.20.05, 14:24 Latest Update: 08.20.05, 21:11
pinging the pingers
Wow, Im sure glad bush gave 50 mil to this scumbag behind the 1972 munich massacre! /s
Oh No! NOT MAJOR JIHAD !!!!!
Just as expected...
Well, I suspect that very shortly Major Jihad is going to be up against two senior IDF officers: General Warfare and Marshal Law. He's outranked.
I am SHOCKED, I tell ya. I thought Islam was the religion of peace. Surely this must be wrong. /sarcasm
after major jihad there comes super duper jihad with a side salad
And the U.S. taxpayer continues to throw hundreds of millions of dollars their way....
Most U.S. taxpayers weren't consulted on this, were they? I wish someone on FR would organize a campaign to have Republicans let the Bush administration know just how wrong their Middle East policy has become.
Maybe we should start camping near crawford that sure gets attention.
From the top...
These people don't want a "Palestinian Homeland." Such a homeland was established in 1948, and is now called "Jordan".
The only Palestinians who want to live in the Gaza or West Bank are those whose families lived there prior to 1967.
The rest want to live in the house, one the property, where their families lived prior to being evicted by the immigrants ("Israelis"). They won't be happy unless this happens. If they wanted to live elsewhere they'd have moved elsewhere.
It is among these people that the PLO, and later, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, has found their support.
Translation: "We won't stop until we have pushed all of Israel into the ocean."
Careful what you ask for, amigo.
Now there is now doubt how Hamas feels about the meaning of the word....Jihad.....
"He can just jihad his a$$ off - now that Israelies are out of Gaza, Israel is free to go nutjob on his a$$. Careful what you ask for, amigo."
I ask for nothing.
The logical conclusion of what I say is that this is a battle to the death for those who refuse to accept living elsewhere. That is the simple truth.
Same rank as Major Payne?
Is Major Jihad anything akin to Double Secret Jihad?
We need to put Abbas on Double Top Secret Probation!
I meant abbas needs to be careful what he asks for... not you.
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