Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)(June 26, 2002) reported on an interview with Hamas spokesman Abdul Aziz al Rantisi . Al Bawaba noted that it ?seems that the pressures put on the Palestinian factions to stop their [suicide] operations against Israel have come from inside as well as outside the 'Palestinian lands'. Following the Arab and Western condemnation of such operations, intellectuals in the 'Palestinian territories' issued a statement calling for the halt of this form of resistance.?
On the other hand, Al Bawaba stated that ?another camp accused the Palestinian intellectuals of betrayal and surrender to the Israeli orders which are against the interests of the Palestinian people." In his response to questions on these points, Hamas spokesman Abdul Aziz al Rantisi specified, "all Palestinian factions including Hamas carry out Martyrdom operations and so the majority of the Palestinians advocate these operations.? He continued, ?those who signed the statement do not in principle believe in armed resistance and have never participated in resistance either by stone throwing or carrying out Martyrdom operations. They do not at all believe in resistance.?
Confirming the widespread acceptance of terrorist operations among PA Arabs, Abdul Aziz al Rantisi added, ?the number of these people does not exceed 500 at the maximum and so they are next to nil compared to the vast majority of the Palestinian people who support the operations.? (emphasis added).
According to Al Bawaba, ?Rantisi described those who signed the statement calling for the halt of suicide bombing operations against Israel as unknown and sideline people driven by Europe. ?Their call is driven by the Euro while the Palestinian people?s call is driven by blood,? added Rantisi . . .Responding to a question about the intention of Sharon?s government to deport the families of the Palestinian suicide bombers outside the 'Palestinian lands' or to Gaza Strip, Rantisi said, 'these people do not believe in law. Their law is the law of jungle, terrorism and killing. '?
On the other hand, Al Bawaba stated that ?another camp accused the Palestinian intellectuals of betrayal and surrender to the Israeli orders which are against the interests of the Palestinian people." In his response to questions on these points, Hamas spokesman Abdul Aziz al Rantisi specified, "all Palestinian factions including Hamas carry out Martyrdom operations and so the majority of the Palestinians advocate these operations.? He continued, ?those who signed the statement do not in principle believe in armed resistance and have never participated in resistance either by stone throwing or carrying out Martyrdom operations. They do not at all believe in resistance.?
Confirming the widespread acceptance of terrorist operations among PA Arabs, Abdul Aziz al Rantisi added, ?the number of these people does not exceed 500 at the maximum and so they are next to nil compared to the vast majority of the Palestinian people who support the operations.? (emphasis added).
According to Al Bawaba, ?Rantisi described those who signed the statement calling for the halt of suicide bombing operations against Israel as unknown and sideline people driven by Europe. ?Their call is driven by the Euro while the Palestinian people?s call is driven by blood,? added Rantisi . . .Responding to a question about the intention of Sharon?s government to deport the families of the Palestinian suicide bombers outside the 'Palestinian lands' or to Gaza Strip, Rantisi said, 'these people do not believe in law. Their law is the law of jungle, terrorism and killing. '?