Prophecy and End Time Series. - Israel

[Shammu]

Hamas vows to 'drink' Jewish blood
See terrorist group's video with messages for Israelis
Posted: February 16, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern


© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com


Shortly after its stunning election victory, Hamas posted on its official website parting video messages from two suicide bombers, including one who vowed the terrorist group would drink the blood of Jews until they "leave the Muslim countries."

Another terrorist urged his mother to be joyous over his death and his "wedding" with the "Maidens of Paradise."

The terrorist act glorified in the video, which can be viewed here, took place Dec. 7, 2004, reported Israel-based Palestinian Media Watch. Hamas, responsible for more than 100 suicide bombings and scores of shooting and rocket attacks, won overwhelmingly in the Jan. 25 Palestinian parliamentary elections and will form the next government.

Each terrorist had a separate message for Jews. The first said:

    "My message to the loathed Jews is that there is no god but Allah, we will chase you everywhere! We are a nation that drinks blood, and we know that there is no blood better than the blood of Jews. We will not leave you alone until we have quenched our thirst with your blood, and our children's thirst with your blood. We will not leave until you leave the Muslim countries."

The second terrorist declared:

    "In the name of Allah, we will destroy you, blow you up, take revenge against you, [and] purify the land of you, pigs that have defiled our country... This operation is revenge against the sons of monkeys and pigs."

The second terrorist also told how he saw his death for Allah as a wedding:

    "I dedicate this wedding to all of those who have chosen Allah as their goal, the Quran as their constitution and the prophet [Muhammad] as their role model. Jihad is the only way to liberate Palestine – all of Palestine – from the impurity of the Jews."

He then spoke directly to his mother.

    "My dear mother, you who have cared for me, today I sacrifice my life to be your intercessor (on Judgment Day). O my love and soul, wipe your tears, don't be saddened. In the name of Allah, I've achieve all that I've aspired. Don't let me see you sad on my wedding day with the Maidens of Paradise. So be happy and not sad, because in the name of Allah, after death is merciful Allah's paradise."

The clip has a farewell scene in which the mother helps the terrorist don his explosive vest. The scene is accompanying by a song with the lyrics, "My dear mother, don't cry over us."

Palestinian Media Watch notes the lyrics are similar to a music video that ran on Palestinian Authority television for years in which a boy asks his parents to be happy over his coming death: "My beloved, my mother, dearest to me most. Be joyous over my blood and do not cry for me."

The Israeli news monitor commented that on numerous occasions, the final messages of Palestinian suicide bombers reflected what they had been hearing in the PA media.

After filming their goodbyes, the two Hamas suicide terrorists went to the Gaza Strip's Karni Crossing and killed an Israeli soldier.

The clip also has scenes of terrorists preparing a tunnel and hiding explosives in it

Hamas vows to 'drink' Jewish blood

[Shammu]

Hamas-Moscow talks in early March

Thursday 16 February 2006, 22:55 Makka Time, 19:55 GMT

A high-level delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas will hold talks with Russian officials in Moscow early next month.

The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on Thursday said: "We have reached an agreement in principle about the arrival in early March of a delegation of the Hamas leadership to Moscow."

The group's victory in recent parliamentary elections has prompted threats from the US and European Union, which threaten to cut off massive aid to the Palestinians unless Hamas - responsible for scores of suicide attacks and designated a terrorist organisation by many Western nations -recognises Israel and renounces violence.

Russia, with backing from France, broke the united Western front on Hamas and invited its leaders to Moscow for talks aimed at persuading the resistance group to moderate its stance.

The invitation, announced at a news conference by Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, was the latest bid by Moscow to invigorate its role in the Middle East peacemaking after years of taking a back seat to the US.

Russian influence

A Western diplomat in Moscow said on Thursday that Russia was trying to use its distinctive position in the so-called Quartet of Middle-East peace negotiators  - not having designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation - to make headway with the group.

Similarly, Russia is using its open channels with Iran to try to negotiate a resolution to the crisis over Tehran's alleged nuclear weapons programme.

Russian officials have promised to demand that Hamas recognise the state of Israel and abandon the use of violence.

But the diplomat said the talks were not expected to significantly affect Middle East peacemaking.

"In an ideal world, you'd see a 180-degree turn," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity. "I don't think anyone expects that."

The other members of the Quartet are the UN, the EU and the US.

Mediating role

Turkey, a country with close ties to both Israel and the Palestinians, also has been seeking to play a mediating role.

Khaled Mashaal, Hamas's exiled political leader, was in Ankara on Thursday for talks where Turkish officials urged the group to renounce violence.

Meanwhile, a top military officer said on Thursday that Russia could decide on weapons deliveries to the Palestinians after the talks with Hamas leaders, the Interfax news agency reported.

"This decision must be made with the new Palestinian leadership," the army's chief of the general staff, General Yuri Baluyevsky, was quoted as saying.

He said that two helicopters expected to be delivered to the Palestinians would be unarmed and were intended for transporting the territory's leaders.

"Armoured equipment is also intended for stabilising the situation," Interfax quoted Baluyevsky as saying.

The Palestinian Authority plans to buy two Mi-17 transport helicopters and 50 armoured personnel carriers, Interfax said.

Haniyeh denial

In other news, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh denied on Thursday that he had been nominated as Palestinian prime minister.

"Hamas is still continuing its internal consultations to determine who will be asked to head the coming government," he told Reuters after a senior Hamas official said the movement's newly elected Hamas legislators had chosen him.

"Such an important position requires consultations between leaders in the (Palestinian) territories, in prisons and in exile. Nothing official has been reached so far, and when a decision is made, it will be published," Haniyeh said.

Hamas-Moscow talks in early March

[Shammu]

Israel to bar Gaza goods, workers

Thursday 16 February 2006, 21:28 Makka Time, 18:28 GMT

Israel will bar Gazan workers and goods from entering Israeli territory and impose other harsh economic sanctions after a Hamas-dominated parliament is sworn in this weekend, security officials have said.

In the face of growing international and Israeli pressure to shun Hamas, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will insist the group accept his goal of reaching a peace agreement with Israel if it wants to take power, Palestinian officials said.

Abbas' demands set the stage for a possible showdown between Hamas and Abbas, whose Fatah Party was routed in last month's legislative election. A Hamas leader expressed confidence a compromise would be reached.

The Israeli campaign against Hamas is focused on bringing the perpetually cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to its knees by drying up desperately needed income.

Barring access to Israel would be devastating to the already battered Gaza economy, which depends heavily on exports to Israel.

The Israeli market is the largest for the impoverished coastal strip, and most of Gaza's exports to the rest of the world go through Israeli ports.

Economic warfare

Additionally, Israel would bar Gaza labourers from reaching jobs in the country, stripping thousands of families of their main sources of income. About 4000 Gazans are allowed into Israel each day, according to the army, and several thousand others are believed to be in the country illegally.

"The swearing-in of the Palestinian parliament on Saturday rings a gong for us," Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz told a meeting of high-level security and government officials on Thursday.

"A Hamas government will mean an authority of terror and murder," he said, according to meeting participants.

The measures, which are expected to be approved by acting Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, on Friday, would go into effect beginning on Sunday, officials said.

They are part of a broader effort by Israel to isolate Hamas internationally and put heavy economic pressure on the group.

Israel has ruled out any dealings with Hamas, which has killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide bombings, until it abandons its violent campaign to destroy Israel.

On Wednesday, government officials said Israel was likely to halt crucial monthly tax transfers to the Palestinians, though it would not immediately block millions of dollars in humanitarian aid that moves through Israeli banks.

Customs duties

Israel annually transfers about $600 million in taxes and customs duties it collects for the Palestinians.

The transfers are crucial for the Palestinian Authority to pay salaries to 140,000 government workers - 40% of whom work for the security forces and are armed.

"Israel will not transfer money to a terrorist authority," Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, told Israel Radio on Thursday.

"(But) we have to look at things logically and decide how to differentiate between a terrorist authority and causing a humanitarian crisis."
 
Mushir al-Masri, an incoming Hamas lawmaker, condemned the Israeli economic threats. "This is collective punishment on our people who have practised their democratic right to choose their representatives," he said.

"The world should realise that more pressure on the Palestinian people will create more tension and everyone is going to be a loser, including Israel," al-Masri said.
 
Hamas' unexpected routing of the long-ruling Fatah Party in 25 January's Palestinian parliamentary balloting, and its subsequent refusal to abandon its violent ways, has provoked Western threats to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in desperately needed aid.

Overwhelming pressure

Responding to the overwhelming pressure, Abbas plans to call on Hamas to allow him to proceed with peace efforts and to accept existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, senior Palestinian officials said on Thursday.

"We are sure that the new government will be in harmony with the PLO charter, and the signed agreements with Israel," Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Palestinian presidential aide, said.

Abbas is expected to deliver his demands during a speech on Saturday marking the first session of the newly elected, Hamas-dominated Parliament.

Abbas' speech is likely to be the beginning of a drawn-out negotiating process with Hamas. Once Abbas taps them to form a new cabinet, the group will have five weeks to put together its government.

Abbas could then decide whether to accept or reject the cabinet's composition. "We are really going to have a showdown and a major crisis," said Saeb Erekat, a Fatah lawmaker and outgoing chief negotiator with Israel. "If he wants to activate his presidential powers, he will have to sack them."

If Hamas refuses to change, Abbas could ask another group to form a government. That, in turn, would almost surely precipitate a parliamentary crisis, with the Hamas-led legislature likely rejecting the new choice.

Compromise

Al-Masri, the incoming Hamas lawmaker, said his group is confident a compromise will be reached. "I think that always we can find common understandings," he said. "All of us are shouldering joint responsibility to serve the interests of our people."

Hamas officials have signalled they would support a long-term truce with Israel and accept existing agreements with Israel that serve Palestinian interests.

Israel has dismissed Hamas' conditional acceptance as disingenuous. Hamas has so far refused to renounce violent resistance or recognise Israel.

Israel to bar Gaza goods, workers

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Hamas leader in surprise Turkey visit

Thursday 16 February 2006, 17:19 Makka Time, 14:19 GMT

A senior Hamas leader is on a surprise visit to Ankara for talks with Turkish diplomats.

Turkey said they would use the meeting with Khalid Mishaal, the exiled supreme leader of Hamas, on Thursday to put forward international demands for the resistance group to renounce violence.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said: "The expectations of the international community following the Palestinian elections will be clearly conveyed during the talks," adding that Hamas had asked to send a delegation to Turkey.

Mishaal is on a tour to muster support from Muslim states to counter Western governments' efforts to step up the pressure on the party that won last month's Palestinian elections.

Fallout

The Ankara visit, the first of Mishaal's current tour to a non-Arab country, came following an offer by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, to act as go-between for Israel and the new Palestinian administration.

The talks are likely to upset Turkey's allies, the US and Israel, both of which are seeking to maintain the group's international isolation. Israel has categorically ruled out any talks with Hamas as long as it remains committed to the destruction of the Jewish state.

The Israeli government was infuriated by Vladimir Putin's decision earlier this month to invite Hamas to talks in Moscow.

Turkey, a predominantly Muslim but strictly secular state, has been Israel's main regional ally since 1996 when the two countries signed a military cooperation accord, much to the anger of Iran and Arab countries.

But it also enjoys close relations with the Palestinians and supports their claim for statehood.

Party invite

Mishaal, who is heading a five-man delegation, was meeting with Turkish diplomats including Ahmet Uzumcu, the Foreign Ministry's deputy under-secretary, and Bozkurt Aran, the head of the ministry's Middle East department.

The Hamas leader, who is based in Syria, has also requested to meet Erdogan, sources said, but it was not immediately clear whether the meeting would take place.

Anatolia news agency said the Hamas delegation had not been invited to Turkey through diplomatic channels, while NTV and CNN-Turk news channels said the invitation came from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

A Turkish official source said both the United States and Israel had been informed of the visit.

Eager for his country to play a more prominent role in the Middle East peace process, Erdogan last month said Turkey was ready to mediate between Israel and Hamas.

But he also urged Hamas to renounce violence and work with Israel.

The US and the European Union have listed Hamas as a terrorist organisation and argue that it must renounce violence and recognise Israel if it wants to form the next government in the Palestinian territories.

Hamas leader in surprise Turkey visit

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Feb. 18, 2006 22:32
Hamas parliament officially sworn in
By ORLY HALPERN

In the opening session of the new Hamas-majority Palestinian Legislative Council, Abdul Aziz Dweik, the newly-elected Hamas Speaker of Parliament promised that Hamas would try to fulfill its "rightful duty to resist occupation."

His words came less than an hour after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah called on the people to use peaceful means of resistance and told the new government to accept the agreements previously made with Israel.

The two speeches laid out the conflicting programs of Hamas and Fatah, and presented a challenge for the future government. Hamas's leaders have stated support for armed resistance "to end the occupation," although they have generally abided by a one-year truce. Hamas has further called for a review of all agreements made with Israel, and has said that negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority were futile.

Nevertheless, Abbas retains a range of powers, including over much of the armed forces. Yet Hamas holds a majority in the PLC with 74 seats and will be forming the cabinet.

These two powerful groups could clash. But both sides said that dialogue would be the modus operandi.

"Why assume that there will be crisis? Let us resort to dialogue. Everything comes through dialogue," Abbas told reporters after leaving parliament.

Ismail Haniyeh said "dialogue and understanding" should be used "to preserve the national unity of the Palestinian people and promote the higher interests of our people."

Indeed Dweik left the building inside the Muqataa in Ramallah to meet Abbas at a nearby hotel with other Hamas leaders. Haniyeh connected with them by phone from Gaza, because Israel prevented Gaza lawmakers from traveling to Ramallah.

However, several Hamas legislators said the group would not agree to negotiations with Israel. Mushir al-Masri, a leading Hamas legislator in Gaza said after Abbas's speech that negotiations with Israel are "not on our agenda."

Another Hamas spokesman in Gaza also supported "resistance."

"Hamas rejects negotiations with the occupation under the current circumstances, while occupation and aggression continues," said Sami Abu Zuhri. "We re-emphasise the commitment to [armed] resistance as a natural right of our people."

Abbas had harsh words for Israel railing against Israel for what he called its "racist separation wall" in the West Bank and its "closures, checkpoints, destruction of infrastructure, uprooting of trees and many other measures that have turned Palestinians' life into hell..."

Abbas received a standing ovation for his speech from both Hamas and Fatah members, who were connected by video-conferencing. Though the two organizations have exchanged bullets, on Saturday the transition of power went peacefully. Fatah for the first time relinquished power to a competing political group. And Hamas for the first time took the political reins of the Palestinian people.

In Gaza, the mostly Hamas PLC members called "Allahu akbar" and clapped again and again. In Ramallah, the members were more subdued, clapping politely only occasionally.

It was only when Dweik was handed the gavel by outgoing PLC Speaker, Rawhi Fatouh, that everyone stood up clapping and Hamas members cheered.

Dweik's election to speaker of parliament was the first act of the 132 newly sworn-in PLC members. Not all the members were present - 13 were in Israeli jails and one, Ahmad Saadat, was in a Palestinian jail. They would be sworn in by phone.

The parliament also elected two deputy speakers and a secretary general. Hamas legislator Ahmed Bahar of Gaza was chosen first deputy and independent Hassan Khreisheh, backed by Hamas, was elected second deputy. Hamas legislator Mahmoud Ramahi from Ramallah will serve as the secretary general of the parliament.

A father of seven, Dweik joined Hamas in 1987, almost immediately after the Islamic movement was founded. Arrested four times by Israel, he spent two years in prison and was deported to Lebanon in 1992. While in Lebanon, Duaik served as a spokesman for the hundreds of Islamic terrorists deported along with him.

Dweik, who speaks English fluently, holds a doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a professor at An Najah University in the West Bank city of Nablus, where he established a geography department.

Dweik appeared overwhelmed as he left the building. Reporters and cameramen surrounded him as he made his way to a sleek black Mercedes-Benz - which only hours before belonged to his predecessor.
Hamas parliament officially sworn in

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18 February 2006, 12:53 GMT
Hamas takes power vowing no talks
Newly-elected members of militant group Hamas have taken their seats in the new Palestinian parliament, rejecting calls for negotiations with Israel.

The Hamas members who dominate the new assembly criticised Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's call for peace talks.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Abbas said Hamas would be forming the next government but urged it to respect the Oslo accords signed with Israel.

He also hit out at unilateral Israeli measures and military strikes.

Hamas have already nominated a senior Gaza Strip leader, Ismail Haniya, as their prime minister.

Academic Aziz Duaik, another Hamas representative, has already been confirmed as speaker of the parliament - the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

Hope v despair

The group's Gaza-based members joined the ceremony by video link, as Israel has not allowed them to travel to the West Bank town of Ramallah.

In a wide-ranging speech, Mr Abbas reminded delegates of his commitment to negotiations.

He called for greater funds to develop Palestinian institutions, and insisted that only "one legitimate force" should operate within the Palestinian Authority.

"In order to achieve security we must have peace. There is no military solution to this conflict"
Mahmoud Abbas
Palestinian leader

Low-key ceremony

Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel, has waged an armed campaign against Israel and retains an extensive armed wing.

Palestinians must aim for a free society, Mr Abbas said, where hope replaces despair.

He urged Hamas to respect the process of negotiation, but reserved strong words for Israel, insisting that the Palestinians would not accept a state with temporary borders.

"In order to achieve security we must have peace. There is no military solution to this conflict," Mr Abbas.

"The continuation of occupation and settlement... will only increase despair. Let us make peace so we can live in two states side by side."

Hamas doubts

Mr Abbas' comments were swiftly rejected by Hamas spokesman Sami abu-Zuhri.

"Hamas rejects negotiations with the occupation under the current circumstances, while occupation and aggression continues," he said.

Ismail Haniya (left) in talks in Gaza "We re-emphasise the commitment to [armed] resistance as a natural right of our people."

Israel refuses to deal with Hamas unless the militant group recognises their state and lays down its arms.

Speaking to the BBC, Aziz Duaik, the newly-chosen PLC speaker, said the issue of recognising Israel was a two-way process.

"Any kind of recognition should go between a state and a state and this is not the case in our situation."

Hamas controls the new parliament 74 members - with just 45 representatives from Mr Abbas' Fatah party, formerly the dominant group.

Israel has postponed until Sunday any decision on whether to impose sanctions on the Palestinian Authority after Hamas' election win.

Hamas takes power vowing no talks

[Shammu]

Israel Halts Payments to Palestinians

By RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press Writer 17 minutes ago

JERUSALEM - Israel branded the Palestinian government a "terrorist authority" Sunday and halted the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax money after Hamas took control of the Palestinian parliament.

But the Israeli government held off on adopting even more drastic measures recommended by security officials, mindful of possible international reaction.

The sanctions came as the Palestinian militant group worked to consolidate its power and form a government, nominating one of its more pragmatic leaders, Ismail Haniyeh, to be the new prime minister.

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, was scheduled to meet with Haniyeh in Gaza on Monday and formally ask him to assemble a Cabinet. Haniyeh said Hamas would begin talks with possible coalition partners Monday.

The Islamic group, which calls for the destruction of Israel and has carried out scores of deadly suicide bombings against Israelis, trounced Abbas' corruption-riddled Fatah Party in Jan. 25 elections, winning 74 of 132 parliament seats.

Israel and Western countries demanded the group renounce violence and recognize Israel's right to exist, but Hamas resisted pressure to moderate. The group took control of the Palestinian legislature when the new parliament was sworn in Saturday.

"The PA is — in practice — becoming a terrorist authority," acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his Cabinet at the beginning of its meeting Sunday. "Israel will not hold contacts with a government in which Hamas takes part."

The Cabinet decided to stop the transfer of the roughly $55 million a month it collects in taxes and tariffs on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. The order did not specify when the payments would stop, but government spokesman Asaf Shariv said the next payment, scheduled for early March, "won't take place."

Army Radio quoted Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz saying the cutoff would be reviewed each month.

The Palestinian Authority relies on that money to help pay the salaries of roughly 140,000 government employees, including about 57,000 in the security forces.

Should the government, the Palestinians' largest employer, be forced to lay off tens of thousands of workers, it would lead to increased chaos and poverty in Palestinian towns throughout the West Bank and Gaza.

Palestinian experts estimate that the Palestinian budget shortfall is about $1 billion a year, and the Israel-collected funds would cover about half of that.

However, the Cabinet held back from adopting far harsher proposals made by Israeli security officials, including a recommendation to seal off the Gaza Strip, barring thousands of Palestinian laborers from entering Israel and eliminating all trade with the impoverished area.

Israel's acting foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, said the government did not want to worsen the daily lives of Palestinians or cause an international backlash against Israel.

But she warned that "Israel will take a number of additional politically significant steps regarding the Palestinian Authority." She did not elaborate.

Mofaz told Israel TV the government could freeze work on the construction of a seaport and airport in Gaza.

The Cabinet also decided to ask the international community to stop giving money to the Palestinians, though it said humanitarian aid should continue. Hamas is listed as a terror organization by the United States and the European Union, and many Western countries have threatened to cut off hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the Palestinian Authority if the group does not moderate.

On Sunday, Abbas said the Palestinian government has agreed to return $50 million in special aid given by the U.S. government, as requested by the United States after Hamas' election win.

Abbas criticized reaction to the Hamas ascension to power. "We chose in free elections that the whole world witnessed were free and fair," he told reporters in Gaza.

Abbas said aid cuts are already being felt. "We are in real financial crisis," he said.

Haniyeh condemned the Cabinet decision, calling it "collective punishment" and saying it was political posturing ahead of Israel's own election on March 28.

He told Al-Jazeera TV, Israel should instead "deal with reality on the basis that there are people who are looking for rights, a state, return (of refugees), freedom and dignity."

The head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, said Sunday that Arab governments were considering providing the money to make up for the frozen transfers from Israel. Arab governments have not been among the top donors to the Palestinian Authority in the past, and some have failed to give pledged funds.

Early Monday, Israeli forces in Nablus shot and killed a senior member of Islamic Jihad, Palestinians said. The Israeli military said according to initial reports, Israeli soldiers opened fire on armed Palestinians, killing a Fatah militant.

On Sunday, Israeli troops killed four Palestinians in separate incidents.

Military officials said an Israeli aircraft attacked two Palestinians laying a bomb in the Gaza Strip, near the border with Israel. Two militants were killed, Palestinian security officials said.

Later, Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in the Balata refugee camp in the northern West Bank. Palestinian witnesses said the 17-year-old youths were shot after throwing rocks at soldiers. The army said they were planting a roadside bomb.

Israel Halts Payments to Palestinians

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Hamas talks to militants about coalition government
Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:23 AM ET167

 By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - The Islamist group Hamas opened talks on Monday with other militant factions about forming a new Palestinian government, and assured them it would not crack down on their fighters despite international pressure.

Election winner Hamas said its goal was to establish as broad a coalition as possible as it faced a halt in vital tax funds from Israel and a threatened boycott by major powers if it refused to renounce violence and recognize the Jewish state.

In talks with one of the factions, Hamas again signaled its readiness for a long-term truce if Israel withdraws from lands it occupied in the 1967 war.

But the head of Israel's Shin Bet internal security service, Yuval Diskin, said a truce alone would be unacceptable. Diskin called a Hamas-run state a long-term "strategic threat".

With an Israeli helicopter gunship circling overhead, a Hamas delegation huddled with leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group involved in a more than 5-year Palestinian uprising.

After the meeting, a top PFLP leader, Rabah Muhana, hinted the group would agree to join a Hamas-led government, calling the outcome of the talks "positive".

Another PFLP leader, Kayed al-Ghoul, said Hamas leaders "promised that after they assume power they will not arrest fighters and they will free fighters in Palestinian jails".

Hamas has rebuffed international calls to disarm its own fighters.

The head of Hamas's parliamentary bloc, Mahmoud al-Zahar, was upbeat about the chances of bringing the PFLP into Hamas's coalition.

He said Hamas would form a new government within two weeks. "It will take maximum two weeks, maximum," Zahar told reporters.

Hamas also held talks with Islamic Jihad, a group responsible for several suicide bombings in Israel, and planned to meet the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP).

FACING SANCTIONS

Hamas also planned to hold talks on Monday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose long-dominant Fatah faction was trounced by Hamas in the parliamentary election on January 25.

Salah al-Bardaweel, spokesman for Hamas's parliamentary bloc, said Hamas would officially present Abbas with its choice for prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh.

But it was unclear whether Hamas, which has largely observed a ceasefire since last year, would succeed in bringing all of the other militant groups on board.

Islamic Jihad, whose West Bank commander was killed overnight by Israeli troops, was expected to turn down Hamas's offer to join the government.

Witnesses outside the house where the talks took place said an Israeli military helicopter was seen circling overhead. The Israeli military declined to comment.

Hamas became the majority bloc in parliament on Saturday, prompting Israel to halt its monthly transfer of millions of dollars to the Palestinian Authority.

Abbas said the move had plunged the Palestinians into a financial crisis.

Israel sought to play down the outcome of Monday's talks between militant factions.

"The exact composition of the incoming Palestinian government is of lesser importance," said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev.

"The essential fact is that the incoming government will be dominated by Hamas, the ministers will be appointed by a Hamas-led parliament and it will be Hamas that will be conducting the orchestra."

In fresh violence on Monday, Israeli troops carried out a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus and ambushed gunmen from Islamic Jihad, killing two, including the group's West Bank commander, Palestinian sources said. Four gunmen were wounded.

The Israeli military often targets Islamic Jihad, which in addition to a campaign of suicide bombings has claimed responsibility for firing rockets into Israel.

Hamas talks to militants about coalition government

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UN envoy slams Israel for withholding PA funds
By Aluf Benn and Gideon Alon, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters

The UN envoy to the Middle East raised objections on Monday to Israel's decision to withhold tax funds from the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority after a Hamas-led parliament was sworn in.

Special Envoy Alvaro de Soto called the decision unhelpful and premature. Israel has long regarded the UN as a minor player in the Middle East peace process compared to the United States, which did not criticize the decision to withhold funds.

"These are monies that belong to the Palestinians and should not be withheld," de Soto told Reuters one day after the cabinet announced a permanent halt to the monthly transfer of about $50 million in tax revenues Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians.

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As part of Sunday's approval of sanctions, the government also decided to ask foreign countries to stop giving the PA financial aid, not including humanitarian aid given to the Palestinian population; prevent the Palestinian security forces from receiving aid; restrict the movements of figures affiliated with Hamas, including those elected to the parliament; and increase security checks for people and goods at checkpoints, especially the Karni and Erez crossings between Israel and Gaza.

The government also decided to continue all necessary steps to prevent terror activity and accelerate the construction of the West Bank separation fence.

The government said it was imposing the sanctions "at this stage," implying that it could approve additional punitive measures later. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni implied this, saying that "Israel will take a series of additional, significant steps against the Palestinian Authority."

Olmert said Israel would not be party to the new situation created by Hamas' rise to power and would not negotiate with a government that includes Hamas.

The decisions were made after Washington asked the Palestinian Authority to return $50 million of its own aid to ensure it does not reach Hamas, sworn to Israel's destruction.

But de Soto said Israel's decision to withhold the money ran counter to the position taken last month by the Quartet of major peace mediators - the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia.

After Hamas' victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections on January 25, the Quartet said international donors should continue to aid the caretaker government of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, at least until a new government is formed by Hamas.

"It follows that the formation of a new government and the approval of its programme should be awaited and that actions prior to that would be premature," de Soto said.

Asked about de Soto's comments, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said: "The government's decision of yesterday stands."

Israel has called on the international community to shun a Hamas-led government until it renounced violence, recognized Israel?s right to exist and agreed to abide by all previously-signed peace agreements.


Iran urges Muslims nations to aid PA
Iran's supreme leader called on Muslim nations Monday to provide annual financial aid to a Hamas-led Palestinian government.

Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal and other officials were in Iran - a top backer of Hamas - in the latest stop of a tour of Arab and Islamic nations aimed at drumming up support as Israel and the United States move to cut off money to the Palestinians.

"Annual financial assistance to Palestine is one way that Muslim nations can share the responsibility of Palestine," Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in talks with Mashaal, according to state-run television.

Khamenei urged Hamas to stick by its rejection and its insistence on the return of Palestinian refugees and the creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

"Continuation of this stance and observing (these issues) as a red line is the only way for success," said Khamenei, who has the final say in all state matters in Iran.

He said aid from Islamic nations to the Palestinians will send a significant sign to the world and improve relations among Muslims. He praised Hamas' recent victory in the general elections as a "divine sweet surprise."

Israel and the United States, which consider Hamas a terrorist group, accuse Iran of giving financial and material support to Hamas, though Tehran insists it only gives moral backing.

Mashaal, heading a Palestinian delegation, arrived in Tehran on Sunday for a two-day visit. He is to meet Iranian leaders including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who provoked international condemnation last year by calling for "Israel to be wiped off the map."

In December, during Mashaal's last visit to Tehran, he supported Iran's hard-line stance against Israel saying that Hamas and Iran formed a united front against Israel.

UN envoy slams Israel for withholding PA funds

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WND Exclusive Commentary Mad mullahs issue fatwa to use nuclear weapons
Posted: February 21, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

An Iranian fatwa (holy edict) permitting the use of nuclear weapons has been issued for the first time. Mohsen Gharavian, a disciple of Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, has stated that using nuclear weapons as a counter-measure is acceptable in terms of sharia (Islamic law), depending upon the goal for which the weapons are used.

Up until now, the religious leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran have publicly declared that the use of nuclear weapons are opposed to sharia, maintaining this position to buttress the argument that Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Gharavian, a lecturer at the religious schools of Qom, stated that:

    One must say that when the entire world is armed with nuclear weapons, it is only natural that, as a counter-measure, it is necessary to be able to use these weapons. However, what is important is the goal they may be used for.

With Iran's President Ahmadinejad openly declaring that Israel must be wiped from the map of the Middle East, we are compelled to ask if Gharavian would consider killing Israeli Jews to be a purpose that sharia would consider acceptable for the use of nuclear weapons?

This fatwa marks a clear signal that the ultra-conservative spiritual leaders in Iran are in full control. Gharavian's statement takes additional importance because he is a disciple of Ayatollah Yazdi, who is also the spiritual mentor of Ahmadinejad. The Jamkaran Mosque in Qom was also the center from which Ayatollah Khomeini based his opposition to the Pahlavi dynasty before he was forced to leave Iran in exile. Devout Shiites believe that the Mahdi, the famous "lost Twelfth Iman," disappeared as a young boy down a well that is now revered within the Jamkaran Mosque.

Ayatollah Yazdi and President Ahmadinejad both profess that the Mahdi will emerge from that same well in his Second Coming, but only following an apocalypse in which the world will go through great calamities and upheavals. In September 2005, when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, Ahmadinejad mentioned the Mahdi in describing what he considered to be his divinely appointed political mission as president of Iran.

Gharavian's fatwa was published by the IraNews news agency, suggesting that the statement had the official blessing of the Iranian regime. Iran has openly defied the world diplomatic community by deciding unilaterally to resume uranium processing at Isfahan and uranium enriching at Natanz. Now, the Mesbah Yazdi group has given the first public statement that the use of nuclear weapons is authorized on religious grounds, a further defiant step on the road toward Iran's open proclamation that the regime is pursuing nuclear weapons, not simply the peaceful use of nuclear power.

The signs that the radical fundamentalists have regained control of Iran's revolution are abundant. In recent weeks, Ahmadinejad has traveled to Damascus to give Syrian President Bashar Assad his support in the international controversy over Sryian complicity in the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Hariri. Last summer, before taking over the presidency, Ahmadinejad met in Tehran with Seyed Hassan Nasrollah, the Lebanese leader of the radical terrorist group Hezbollah.

In January this year, Moqtada al-Sadr, the young Iraqi Shiite radical cleric whose "Al-Mahdi Army" engaged in acts of terrorism in April 2004 against U.S. troops in Iraq, visited Tehran and swore to support Iran if the United States or Israel should attack Iran. Hamas member Muhammad Jamal al-Natshah, who was elected to the Palestinian legislature in late January, after being released from Israeli prison, declared that Iran would provide financial support to Hamas if Israel should cut off funds.

Iran is also rushing to conclude with China a $100 billion deal that will allow a Chinese government-controlled oil company to develop the vast oil and natural-gas holdings in Iran's Yadavaran field. The goal is to complete the deal before a U.S.-led motion might cause the Security Council to consider imposing additional sanctions on Iran for violations in their nuclear program.

Iran will hold in euros foreign currency reserves from the sale of oil and natural gas to China. With China's increasing dependency upon Iran for energy resources, the Iranians have suggested that China should diversify into euros a greater portion of their nearly $1 trillion in foreign currency reserves. With approximately 75 percent of China's foreign currency reserves currently held in dollars, a move by the Chinese to the euro could depress the value of the dollar, making more costly the U.S. Treasury's need to sell massive debt into the international markets to maintain our large and growing twin trade and budget deficits.

Now, ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency's scheduled March 6 meeting in Vienna to vote on referring Iran to the Security Council, the IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei has suggested that Iran might be permitted to enrich a small quantity of uranium for "research and development" purposes. ElBaradei has told diplomats recently that a pilot enrichment program at Natanz is Iran's bottom-line, "a reality" the world may have to learn to live with. With this statement, the prospect looms that Iran may once again have won the negotiating game of chess, by winning the concession of even the IAEA that Natanz and Isfahan can continue operating.

Even should the IAEA vote to send the Iranian portfolio to the Security Council, Russia and China appear ready to veto any meaningful sanctions. In the next few weeks, we will most likely see the United States forced to admit that the Bush administration strategy since the second inauguration of allowing the IAEA and the E.U.-3 to lead negotiations with Iran may simply amount to a waste of time.

Iran has also begun suggesting that the Russian proposal to enrich uranium on Russian soil, possibly with the assistance of an international consortium pledging to provide enriched uranium to Iran will be acceptable, as long as Iran can also continue enriching uranium on Iranian soil. What reason does the world community have to believe that Iran will only enrich a small amount of uranium when Iran has consistently violated agreements with the IAEA?

With Iran and Hamas both declaring that Israel has no legitimate reason to survive and with diplomacy failing to contain the Iranian nuclear program, increasingly the military option is the only option left with any promise of stopping Iran from having nuclear weapons that the mullahs now declare can be used in accordance with Islamic law. What more do we need to see before we conclude that Israel and America are inevitably headed to war with Iran?

[Shammu]

Iran denies wanting to "wipe Israel off the map" 
Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:46 PM ET13

By Sebastian Alison

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Iran's foreign minister denied on Monday that Tehran wanted to see Israel "wiped off the map," saying President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had been misunderstood.

"Nobody can remove a country from the map. This is a misunderstanding in Europe of what our president mentioned," Manouchehr Mottaki told a news conference, speaking in English, after addressing the European Parliament.

"How is it possible to remove a country from the map? He is talking about the regime. We do not recognize legally this regime," he said.

Ahmadinejad caused a storm of condemnation last October after Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted him as telling a conference: "Israel must be wiped off the map".

Mottaki's comments came as he sought to assure EU lawmakers and institutions that Tehran had no ambitions to make nuclear weapons, despite widespread mistrust in Europe and the United States of the reasons behind Iran's nuclear program.

Iran says it is for energy production only.

Mottaki also acknowledged the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were killed by Nazi Germany, despite Ahmadinejad saying in December that it was a myth.

He told the parliament's foreign affairs committee, speaking through an interpreter: "Our friends in Europe stress that such a crime has taken place and they have stated certain figures that were actually suffered. We have no argument about that, but what we are saying here is to put right such a horrific event, why should the Muslims pay a price?"

The political leader of militant group Hamas, which won Palestinian legislative elections last month, was in Tehran on Monday for talks with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Mottaki said it was natural such talks should take place, while making clear he rejected the West's labeling of Hamas, which is committed to Israel's destruction, as a terrorist group.

"We believe that those people who make efforts to free their countries should not be regarded as terrorists," he said.

"The leaders in that government and parliament have been invited by many Arab countries such as Egypt, and other Islamic countries, even Russia, so it is natural they should also visit Iran."

He declined to speculate on how ties between a Hamas-led Palestinian government and Tehran would develop.

My note; Remember that muslims are allow to lie, to non-believers.

[Shammu]

Hamas Officially Appoints Palestinian PM

By IBRAHIM BARZAK, Associated Press Writer Wed Feb 22, 6:38 AM ET

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Ismail Haniyeh of the militant Islamic Hamas received his official appointment as the next Palestinian prime minister, but he refused to respond to a demand from the Palestinian leader to adhere to interim peace deals with Israel.

On Wednesday, Iran offered to help finance a Palestinian Authority run by the Hamas militant group, Iranian state radio reported.

The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, announced the offer after a meeting with Khaled Mashaal, the political leader of Hamas, the report said.

Larijani said the decision was made after the United States said it would not provide aid to an authority governed by Hamas until the group renounced violence, recognized Israel and agreed to abide by existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, accepting the letter designating him as prime minister, Haniyeh met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday for more than two hours, their second such session in two days — an indication of the wide gaps between the two.

Abbas is the head of the Fatah Party, which Hamas trounced in last month's parliamentary election. Abbas was elected separately last year, and now he will have to deal with a Hamas parliament and Cabinet.

The letter, in addition to the official appointment, was a one-page summary of Abbas' political positions, said Abbas aides on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give details.

Abbas has said the new government must accept the agreements previous governments made — including interim peace accords with Israel and the internationally backed "road map" plan for a Palestinian state.

Haniyeh was noncommittal. "We will study it, and God willing, we will answer soon to Abu Mazen (Abbas), God willing," he said.

Hamas ideology does not accept a Jewish state in the Middle East, and the militant group has sent dozens of suicide bombers into Israel. Since the election, Hamas has rebuffed demands from Israel, the United States, United Nations and Europe to recognize Israel and renounce violence.

Haniyeh, a relative moderate by Hamas standards and known as a skilled negotiator, said he wants to bring Fatah into his government.

"I think the room for agreement with Fatah is large," he said, "and we hope to reach a formula through which we can form a national unity government."

So far, however, Fatah has refused.

Haniyeh also said it was "premature" to discuss incorporating the Hamas military wing into Palestinian security services.

Hamas' rise to power has badly damaged chances of renewing long-stalled peace negotiations. Israel refuses to deal with the group until it renounces violence and recognizes the Jewish state. Further diminishing peace prospects, exiled Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal was in Iran, Israel's staunchest enemy, seeking to drum up support.

Speaking to Israel TV, acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday the chances of a "quick agreement" with the Palestinians are smaller now that Hamas is in charge. "But the hope has not disappeared, and I am responsible for both things, the battle against Hamas and maintaining hope, the chance to reach an agreement," he said.

It is unclear how Israel could carry out peace talks with Hamas in government. Abbas has suggested that he could personally handle peace negotiations, while letting Hamas focus on its domestic agenda of improving social services and rooting out government corruption.

Israeli officials say they will not deal with a "two-headed government" that includes a party committed to the country's destruction. After Hamas took over parliament, Israel froze the transfer of roughly $50 million in tax funds to the cash-starved Palestinian Authority each month.

Israel also has urged the international community to join it in isolating Hamas. The United States and
European Union, which consider Hamas a terrorist group, have threatened to halt hundreds of millions of dollars of vital foreign aid once the new Palestinian Cabinet takes office.

Hamas Officially Appoints Palestinian PM

[Shammu]

Israel Warns Iran Against Palestinian Aid
Iran Says It Will Finance a Palestinian Authority Run by Hamas, Bringing a Warning From Israel
By NASSER KARIMI
The Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran offered Wednesday to help finance a Palestinian Authority run by the Hamas militant group, state radio said in a report that brought a quick warning from Israel that it would do all it could legally to stop the Palestinians from receiving the money.

The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, announced the offer after a meeting with Khaled Mashaal, the political leader of the Hamas, in Tehran, radio said.

Larijani said the decision was taken after the United States said it would not provide aid to an authority governed by Hamas until the group renounced violence, recognized Israel and agreed to abide by existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.

"The United States proved that it would not support democracy after it cut its aid to the Palestinian government after Hamas won the elections. We will certainly help the Palestinians," Larijani said, Iran radio reported.

The United States and European Union, which consider Hamas a terrorist group, have said they will halt their grants of hundreds of millions of dollars to the Palestinian Authority after a Hamas government takes office unless it changes its attitude toward Israel and violence.

Hamas has long called for the destruction of Israel and has refused to negotiate with the Jewish state. Its leaders have refused to change their policies since the group won last month's Palestinian elections by a landslide.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas asked moderate Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday to form a government.

In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said: "The incoming Palestinian leadership has to decide if it wants to be part of the legitimate international community or if it wants, through its own actions, to align itself with international pariahs."

Israel regards Iran as a pariah for its support of militant groups such as Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah, and it accuses Tehran of seeking to produce nuclear weapons a charge Iran denies. Last year Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Israel should be "wiped out."

Asked if Israel would try to block the Iranian money, Regev replied that as the money would be going to a "terrorist" leadership, "we would be entitled to use all legal means to prevent that money from reaching its destination."

However, Hamas says it already receives small amounts of Iranian funds. The group has said it that it does not want to accept large amounts of Iranian aid because it needs to preserve its independence.

Mashaal and his delegation were in Iran on the latest stop of a tour of Arab and Islamic nations aimed at drumming up support as Israel and the United States move to cut off money to the Palestinians.

In Cairo on Wednesday, Israeli Labor Party leader Amir Peretz called for Arabs to understand that his country could not deal with Hamas.

"It is a clear and moral position that we cannot recognize a party that calls for Israel's destruction," Peretz told reporters after talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Israel had nothing against the Palestinians or Muslims and Arabs, "our fight is only against terror," Peretz said.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had called Monday for Muslim nations to provide aid to a Hamas-led government and expressed support for the group's refusal to recognize Israel.

Ahmadinejad also indicated Monday that Hamas should not fear the West's threat to cut off funds. "Since the divine treasures are infinite, you should not be concerned about economic issues," IRNA quoted Ahmadinejad as saying.

Israel and the United States have long accused Iran of giving financial and material support to Hamas. But Iran has always replied it gives only moral backing.

Hamas suicide bombers have killed hundreds of Israelis. But the group has respected an informal cease-fire since early last year.

Israel Warns Iran Against Palestinian Aid

[Shammu]

Israel warns of ‘Evil Axis’ World War

Israel’s UN envoy Gillerman warns of Hamas’ venture into politics, saying Islamic group is forming ‘Axis of Evil’ with Syria and Iran; Adds terror triangle likely to instigate first World War of the 21st century if not stopped
Yitzhak Benhorin

WASHINGTON - Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Gillerman, on Tuesday warned of a new “terror axis” between Iran, Syria and Hamas, which could kick start “the first world war of the 21st century.”

Addressing the U.N. Security Council on a quarterly session to discuss international terrorism, Gillerman asked council members if their governments would agree to al-Qaeda or the Kurdish group PKK running in elections.

“Imagine al-Qaeda or the PKK running in elections? A dictator’s democracy is a dangerous false impression,” Gillerman told the Council.

Gillerman warned of Hamas’ venture in politics, saying “the world is witnessing a new alliance between Iran, Syria and Hamas, which constitutes an axis of terror.”

Gillerman evoked Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad’s January visit to Syria and the warm welcome in Tehran of Hamas leaders this week. Political leader Khaled Mashaal led a Hamas delegation to Iran where he said Iran will play a more central role in Palestinian affairs after guarantees for financial backing to the Palestinian government from the Islamic Republic.

“This new terror axis poses a big threat to regional and world stability, and is a recipe for the worst ever plague. If we ignore this imminent threat, the axis of evil will be the seeds of the first world war of the 21st century,” Gillerman said.

He called on the international community “to take seriously Syria, Hamas and Iran’s joint effort and to act seriously to prevent Iran, an extremist and dangerous government that supports terror, from acquiring the knowledge to develop nuclear arms.”

Gillerman said that the democratic elections in the Palestinian Authority cannot cover up Hamas extreme ideology which calls for the destruction of Israel. He invited Council members to read Hamas’ charter, a key provision of which calls for the murder of Jews and the annihilation of the Jewish state.

Israel warns of ‘Evil Axis’ World War

[Shammu]

Hamas website 'nukes' Israel
Graphic has Star of David consumed in atomic blast
Posted: February 21, 2006
4:22 p.m. Eastern

© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

Hamas animation (Courtesy: Palestinian Media Watch)
The terrorist wing of the new Palestinian majority party Hamas has placed on its website a graphic depicting Israel's symbol, the Star of David, enveloped in a nuclear blast.

The Macromedia Flash Player animation can be seen here at the top of the homepage of the Az A-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, points out the Israel-based Palestinian Media Watch.

After a nuclear explosion erases the star, a message, in Arabic, appears.

    "The Az A-Din Al-Qassam website exclusively tells the whole story of the most elusive squad [to be uncovered] in the history of the Entity (Israel), in the city of Ramallah."

Clicking on the window produces more information, glorifying a terrorist cell captured by Israel.

The atomic destruction scene repeats every few seconds.

Hamas, responsible for more than 100 suicide bombings and scores of shooting and rocket attacks against Israelis, won overwhelmingly in the Jan. 25 Palestinian parliamentary elections and will form the next government.

As WorldNetDaily reported earlier this month, Hamas posted on its official website parting video messages from two suicide bombers, including one who vowed the terrorist group would drink the blood of Jews until they "leave the Muslim countries."

Another terrorist urged his mother to be joyous over his death and his "wedding" with the "Maidens of Paradise."

The terrorist act glorified in the video, which can be viewed here, took place Dec. 7, 2004, reported Palestinian Media Watch.

While speculation continues over whether Hamas will engage in any peace effort with Israel, the Hamas covenant, established in 1988, indicates change is not likely, stating the group's "program is Islam. From it, it draws its ideas, ways of thinking and understanding of the universe, life and man," and "Allah is its target, the Prophet is its model, the Quran its constitution: Jihad is its path and death for the sake of Allah is the loftiest of its wishes."

Drawing from the sayings of Muhammad and the Quran, the charter says Hamas "aspires to the realization of Allah's promise" that the "Day of Judgment will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews."

The covenant declares that all of the Holy Land, including Israel is Islamic land that can never be surrendered to non-Muslims.

Its introduction quotes "martyr" Imam Hassan al-Banna, who said, "Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."

The charter also makes no room for the kind of "peace process" engaged in by the ruling Palestinian Authority.

Article 13 says, "Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement. ... There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad."