Posted on 09/24/2003 10:08:33 AM PDT by sonsofliberty2000
Hamas Founder Says Bush Has Declared War on Islam
By Nidal al-Mughrabi
GAZA (Reuters) - Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder of the Islamic militant group Hamas, emerged from hiding on Wednesday and denounced President Bush's speech to the United Nations as a declaration of war on Islam.
"Today Bush declares war on Islam under the pretext of terrorism and ideologies that feed terrorism. Bush views Islam as terrorism," the wheelchair-bound cleric, 64, told reporters at a mosque in the Gaza Strip (news - web sites).
Yassin has been in hiding because of Israeli missile strikes against Hamas leaders after a wave of suicide bombings.
Hamas is sworn to the destruction of Israel, Washington's closest Middle East ally, and has killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide attacks.
"Bush must understand that religious people do not fear threats. Islam is stronger than Bush's regime, stronger than Bush and stronger than his state and Islam will win."
He said Bush had resorted to war after failing to conduct a dialogue with Muslims. "But he will be defeated, in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Palestine and in all the Muslim land," he said.
Bush said in his U.N. address Tuesday that the Palestinian cause was being "betrayed by leaders who cling to power by feeding old hatreds."
"We will not surrender, we will not raise white flags and we will continue to fight until we achieve either victory or martyrdom," said Yassin, who was slightly wounded in one strike.
Yassin said Hamas opposed any truce with Israel, although Palestinian President Yasser Arafat wants a cease-fire. "Talking truces is completely rejected by our side now," he said.
Yassin also said Hamas would not take part in any Palestinian government. "We do not share in governments under (Israeli) occupation," he said.
Yassin said Hamas was in contact with the Lebanese guerrilla group Hizbollah over a possible prisoner swap deal with Israel.
A Palestinian newspaper said Tuesday Israel could free 215 Palestinian security detainees next week as part of a prisoner-swap deal with Hizbollah.
"From our side we work and are in contact with Hizbollah to release as many Palestinian prisoners as possible from the jails of the Israeli enemy," Yassin said.
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder of the Islamic militant group Hamas.....
Hamas is sworn to the destruction of Israel, Washington's closest Middle East ally, and has killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide attacks.
That's why we are after YOU, Yassin. Not because you are Islamic, but because you are a murderer.
Only one question needs to be asked: would the lord high cockroach back off of one of his attacks, if his target was in a church or synagogue?
Flatten it, then burn the rubble.
Once, late at night, the thought occured to me that the way to end Islamist violence would be to make Sheikh Palazzi the Caliph of all Islam. It might not be a panacea, but I still think it's a good idea.
As I've posted elsewhere, many times before:
The silence of the moderates is deafening.
If the moderates do not speak out, then they are condoning the actions of the terrorists.
Yeah, I know. I just hope his co-religionists don't kack him. He deserves better.
Hot damn, you can't buy publicity like this. Thank you, thank you.
Once they've killed all infidels, they'll set upon each other.
That sounds like an epitaph...
Murder.
I'm surprised Yassin is venturing out. He doesn't have the US lifeline Arafat has, though I'm not sure why. Protect Arafat, you might as well protect Yassin too.
An interesting 5 year gap there.
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