The organization headed by Yasser Arafat, Fatah, has reaffirmed its commitment to terrorism against Israelis. In a communique issued over the weekend by Fatah's Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades, the terrorists declared, "There is no option but resistance, jihad and martyrdom to force the Israeli occupation to abandon the territories and to allow the return of the refugees [to Israel]." The Fatah communique was issued in reaction to calls by certain figures in the Palestinian Authority to refrain from violent attacks in the wake of the assassination of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin, saying that a "people's uprising" would be more effective.
Similarly, Lebanese terrorist organization Hizbullah has pledged to continue assisting the Hamas in its crimes. Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah announced that "Hamas' war is Hizbullah's war," pledging 3,000 Hizbullah warriors to be "members and soldiers of Hamas." He made the comments at a memorial for Yassin, also attended by Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Mash'al. Nasrallah added that he is not afraid of "Israel's threats."
In Western states, too, over the weekend, the assassination of Hamas leader Yassin continued to produce reactions of support for terrorism. In Australia, approximately 300 people protested in Sydney against Israel, with the senior Muslim leader calling Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "the biggest, most evil terrorist in the world." In Greece, about 250 people gathered outside the Israeli embassy on the outskirts of Athens and protested the counterterror strike that eliminated Yassin.
Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah II is quoted in an interview published over the weekend by a London-based, Saudi-backed newspaper, Al-Hayat, as saying, "Israel simply does not want peace," in reaction to Israel's elimination of the Hamas leader.
Abdullah confirmed that he met in Israel with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon before the Yassin operation, adding that he was under the impression that Sharon was working towards a peace arrangement with the Palestinian Authority. The Hashemite king said that the military operation came a week ahead of the Arab League conference, indicating that Sharon does not appear to want that conference to succeed.
The Arab League summit of Arab leaders to have taken place in Tunisia tomorrow (Monday) was in fact postponed indefinitely at the last minute Saturday night – but not due to Ariel Sharon. Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib bin-Yahya said the meeting was put off because of differences between Arab governments on internal reforms. However, Palestinian Authority official Saeb Erekat said, "We are afraid that this [cancellation] will allow Israel to carry out even bigger or large-scale actions against the Palestinians." Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa warned that indefinite postponement would have "dangerous consequences" for Arab unity.
Similarly, Lebanese terrorist organization Hizbullah has pledged to continue assisting the Hamas in its crimes. Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah announced that "Hamas' war is Hizbullah's war," pledging 3,000 Hizbullah warriors to be "members and soldiers of Hamas." He made the comments at a memorial for Yassin, also attended by Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Mash'al. Nasrallah added that he is not afraid of "Israel's threats."
In Western states, too, over the weekend, the assassination of Hamas leader Yassin continued to produce reactions of support for terrorism. In Australia, approximately 300 people protested in Sydney against Israel, with the senior Muslim leader calling Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "the biggest, most evil terrorist in the world." In Greece, about 250 people gathered outside the Israeli embassy on the outskirts of Athens and protested the counterterror strike that eliminated Yassin.
Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah II is quoted in an interview published over the weekend by a London-based, Saudi-backed newspaper, Al-Hayat, as saying, "Israel simply does not want peace," in reaction to Israel's elimination of the Hamas leader.
Abdullah confirmed that he met in Israel with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon before the Yassin operation, adding that he was under the impression that Sharon was working towards a peace arrangement with the Palestinian Authority. The Hashemite king said that the military operation came a week ahead of the Arab League conference, indicating that Sharon does not appear to want that conference to succeed.
The Arab League summit of Arab leaders to have taken place in Tunisia tomorrow (Monday) was in fact postponed indefinitely at the last minute Saturday night – but not due to Ariel Sharon. Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib bin-Yahya said the meeting was put off because of differences between Arab governments on internal reforms. However, Palestinian Authority official Saeb Erekat said, "We are afraid that this [cancellation] will allow Israel to carry out even bigger or large-scale actions against the Palestinians." Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa warned that indefinite postponement would have "dangerous consequences" for Arab unity.