Hamas gave Israel a “gift” on its Independence Day on Tuesday, in the form of a video calling for genocide of Israelis.
The animated video, released by Hamas’s so-called “military wing”, the Al-Kassam Brigades, called for resistance and for committing genocide against Jews living in Israel in order to “free Palestine”.
The song in the video was to the tune of the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, which means “the hope” in Hebrew. The Arabic words of the song twisted that message, warning that it is “the end of the hope” for Israel, that Israel was doomed, and that Jerusalem will be renamed and known by its Arab name, “Al-Quds”.
The video begins with an image of a Palestinian Arab boy throwing rocks and shattering the State of Israel, which is presented as a fortress. It later shows photos of terrorist attacks carried out in Israel, a picture of former Minister Rehavam Zeevi who was murdered by terrorists from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and a picture of Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon with a target on his head, among others.
The release of the video comes as Hamas continues to hold talks with Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement on a unity agreement.
As part of the Hamas-Fatah deal, Abbas will issue a "presidential decree" announcing the dates for elections, which PA officials said would likely take place within the next six months. The PA’s Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has already offered to step down to pave the way for a unity government
The unity government is supposed to be made up of independent figures, but a senior Hamas figure said this week that the group’s leadership decided to submit a candidate for the presidency.
On Monday, Abbas held "positive" talks with Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal in Doha, in the first meeting since the deal was signed.
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman warned that "no matter when elections are, Hamas will win and take control of the Palestinian Authority."