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.
Well then,now that he's made that statement clear, I think I can hear the Album "Kill 'em All" by Metallica playing in the W.H. about right now. (That's a Pipe-dream of course) It does sound like all Hamas members have to be extinguished though.
Spiritual leader of the Islamic radical movement Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin(AFP/File/Mohammed Saber)
Palestinian Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin talks to the media during a news conference at the Islamic complex mosque in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003. In a rare public appearance Wednesday, Yassin said that Hamas will not disarm, agree to a truce or join the new Palestinian government. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Yes, although possibly not current. It was used in Who Framed Roger Rabbit; e.g., "The rabbit kacked Marvin Acme." I've heard it used a few times since, but I couldn't say where.
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