Although Fatah - the largest faction of the PLO, headed by Yasser Arafat and Abu Mazen - has been involved in terrorist attacks against Israel of late, the world's attention seems to be focusing on Hamas. Only three days ago, for instance, Fatah's Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility for the murder of Avner Maimon, 49, from Netanya on Thursday. And just a few days before that, a Fatah terrorist took part in the killing of four Israeli soldiers at the Erez Checkpoint in Gaza.
Despite the above, it's Hamas that has suddenly become the terrorist organization that everyone loves to hate. U.S. President Bush, for instance, called last night for a worldwide crackdown on Hamas. “The message is clear,” he said. “Prime Minister Abbas wants peace, Prime Minister Sharon wants peace, America wants peace, the European Union wants peace, but there are clearly killers who don’t. For those of us who are interested in moving the process forward, we must combine our efforts to cut off all money, support for anybody who tries to sabotage the peace process.” The European Union, too, has begun to call for the isolation of Hamas.
In addition, Prime Minister Sharon's Office dramatically announced last night that the two British Muslims involved in the suicide bombing at Mike’s Place in Tel Aviv on Apr. 30 were dispatched by the Hamas military command in Gaza. The announcement further stated that Hamas is "ideologically toeing the line with global jihad organizations, led by Al-Qaeda, which have declared total war on whoever is not a Muslim and even against those Muslims who cooperate with the West."
The announcement also stated that the GSS (Shabak) is examining suspicions regarding possible cooperation in the Mike’s Place attack between Hamas and Al-Qaeda. It should be pointed out that such ties have been exposed in the past.
Despite the above, it's Hamas that has suddenly become the terrorist organization that everyone loves to hate. U.S. President Bush, for instance, called last night for a worldwide crackdown on Hamas. “The message is clear,” he said. “Prime Minister Abbas wants peace, Prime Minister Sharon wants peace, America wants peace, the European Union wants peace, but there are clearly killers who don’t. For those of us who are interested in moving the process forward, we must combine our efforts to cut off all money, support for anybody who tries to sabotage the peace process.” The European Union, too, has begun to call for the isolation of Hamas.
In addition, Prime Minister Sharon's Office dramatically announced last night that the two British Muslims involved in the suicide bombing at Mike’s Place in Tel Aviv on Apr. 30 were dispatched by the Hamas military command in Gaza. The announcement further stated that Hamas is "ideologically toeing the line with global jihad organizations, led by Al-Qaeda, which have declared total war on whoever is not a Muslim and even against those Muslims who cooperate with the West."
The announcement also stated that the GSS (Shabak) is examining suspicions regarding possible cooperation in the Mike’s Place attack between Hamas and Al-Qaeda. It should be pointed out that such ties have been exposed in the past.