Hamas blames Israel for Arafat's death
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=123&art_id=qw1100153520103B253
Gaza - The militant Islamic group Hamas said on Thursday the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat would strengthen its resolve to keep up attacks against Israel.
"The loss of the great leader will increase our determination and steadfastness to continue Jihad and resistance against the Zionist enemy until victory and liberation is achieved," Hamas said in statement.
Hamas, sworn to Israel's destruction, is the main Palestinian group behind suicide bombings and other attacks against Israelis.
In Beirut, Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal accused Israel of killing Arafat, who died at a French hospital.
"I say, and do not hesitate, that I hold Israel responsible for the crime of the death of Arafat... All reports by doctors in the last two weeks indicate he was poisoned," Meshaal told Al Jazeera television by telephone.
On Tuesday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath told reporters that although the doctors' diagnosis had been inconclusive, "it rules out poisoning totally".
In 1997, two Israeli Mossad agents were arrested in Jordan after trying to poison Meshaal. Israel provided an antidote and freed Hamas prisoners to get its men released.
"French and Arab doctors may not be able to find evidence as they could not find proof in my blood when I was poisoned but Israel was forced then to bring an antidote after two of its agents were held in Jordan," Meshaal said.
"Israel by killing Arafat has killed the peace settlement and is sending a clear message to Palestinians and Arabs that this will be the fate of whoever rejects a settlement according to Israeli conditions."
ping
"Hamas blames Israel..."
Well, that's no surprise, either.
Thanks for the ping. They sound like the typical liberal cry of "it's always someone else's fault". At least they didn't blame Pres. Bush.