The world of internet is now providing an excellent framework for the exchange of fundamentalist, terrorist Islamic points of view. Earlier this month, Hamas terrorist leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin participated in an Internet chat on the website "Islam Online." Here are some excerpts from the chat, courtesy of the Israel Defense Forces:
Question: Do you believe that it is best to check the precise timing and location to detonate "Human Bombs" in order to cause the maximum number of people among Jewish enemy, military men and civilians, and for what reason are you not drafting "Human Bombs" from among the Israeli Arab population?
Answer: Indeed it is best to check the exact timing and location in order to cause a maximum number of soldiers and civilians of the Zionist enemy, which is how our warrior brothers in the Az Adin Alkasam have been acting. However there is a difference between theoretical talk and actual operation because there are objective and self-restrictions that determine in many cases the timing and location. In regard to the drafting of "Human Bombs" from the 1948 Arabs, it has been considered. We have done this in the past and we will do this in the future, despite the pressures and psychological and social warfare waged against them, in order to prevent them from entering the Jihad and resistance arena.
Question: How do you assess the experience of the Hizballah and can a similar experience be put into action in conquered Palestine?
Answer: In the past there was a difference between the conditions in which Hizballah operated in Lebanon and the conditions of resistance operated in Palestine. As opposed to the situation in Lebanon, the Palestinian authority operated against the resistance while Hizballah won general support. Today, after we have entered the Al-Asqa Intifada, the situation is much improved. The resistance is legitimate and the Authority shuts its eyes and does not pursue the fighters. However, the resources at our people's disposal are very few and we require assistance from the neighboring Arab countries, and for weapons in order to fight the enemy.
Question: What are the priorities of the Hamas in this current situation and what is required of the individual man or woman, when all wish to participate in the Intifada?
Answer: Our priorities require that all children of Palestine, men and women, be ready for conflict, both from the standpoint of training and from the standpoint of armament. They must also be ready to assist the warriors in the arena of battle. The current stage does not allow the entrance of everyone into a military conflict, however everyone must be ready for the day in which it might take place, as the Zionist enemy is planning to attack our people and to control our land once again.
Question: When will the Hamas operate in order to harm Zionist interests outside of Israel while taking advantage of thousands of trained and loyal Muslims around the world?
Answer: The Hamas has taken the path of avoiding causing harm to Zionist interests outside of Palestine, not from weakness or lack of ability to do so, but because Hamas does not wish for further fronts to be opened against it around the world. A country with such internal interests harmed, will not allow damage to its security and stability, and will fight us. We do not want that. We wish that all countries around the world honor our wishes and our Jihad, and we avoid interfering in their business. Our Jihad will remain on Palestinian soil that is wide and large. History has proven that the PLO and its sectors suffered great damage when walking the way of harming Zionist interests in other countries around the world.
Question: Do you believe that it is best to check the precise timing and location to detonate "Human Bombs" in order to cause the maximum number of people among Jewish enemy, military men and civilians, and for what reason are you not drafting "Human Bombs" from among the Israeli Arab population?
Answer: Indeed it is best to check the exact timing and location in order to cause a maximum number of soldiers and civilians of the Zionist enemy, which is how our warrior brothers in the Az Adin Alkasam have been acting. However there is a difference between theoretical talk and actual operation because there are objective and self-restrictions that determine in many cases the timing and location. In regard to the drafting of "Human Bombs" from the 1948 Arabs, it has been considered. We have done this in the past and we will do this in the future, despite the pressures and psychological and social warfare waged against them, in order to prevent them from entering the Jihad and resistance arena.
Question: How do you assess the experience of the Hizballah and can a similar experience be put into action in conquered Palestine?
Answer: In the past there was a difference between the conditions in which Hizballah operated in Lebanon and the conditions of resistance operated in Palestine. As opposed to the situation in Lebanon, the Palestinian authority operated against the resistance while Hizballah won general support. Today, after we have entered the Al-Asqa Intifada, the situation is much improved. The resistance is legitimate and the Authority shuts its eyes and does not pursue the fighters. However, the resources at our people's disposal are very few and we require assistance from the neighboring Arab countries, and for weapons in order to fight the enemy.
Question: What are the priorities of the Hamas in this current situation and what is required of the individual man or woman, when all wish to participate in the Intifada?
Answer: Our priorities require that all children of Palestine, men and women, be ready for conflict, both from the standpoint of training and from the standpoint of armament. They must also be ready to assist the warriors in the arena of battle. The current stage does not allow the entrance of everyone into a military conflict, however everyone must be ready for the day in which it might take place, as the Zionist enemy is planning to attack our people and to control our land once again.
Question: When will the Hamas operate in order to harm Zionist interests outside of Israel while taking advantage of thousands of trained and loyal Muslims around the world?
Answer: The Hamas has taken the path of avoiding causing harm to Zionist interests outside of Palestine, not from weakness or lack of ability to do so, but because Hamas does not wish for further fronts to be opened against it around the world. A country with such internal interests harmed, will not allow damage to its security and stability, and will fight us. We do not want that. We wish that all countries around the world honor our wishes and our Jihad, and we avoid interfering in their business. Our Jihad will remain on Palestinian soil that is wide and large. History has proven that the PLO and its sectors suffered great damage when walking the way of harming Zionist interests in other countries around the world.