By Amihai Zippor
(IHC News Analysis, 24 January 2008)
Hamas Political chief Khaled Mashaal told a conference of opposition Palestinian groups in Damascus that his organization will never give up its fight against Israel.
“The struggle must continue until the entire siege on the Strip is lifted and until the liberation of Palestine – all of Palestine,” said Mashaal on Wednesday, 23 January 2008.
“We stopped the missiles before, as well as all types of resistance in a tactical manner, but this did not bring the siege to an end. Therefore, the missiles are not the reason, and the siege did not begin with the fuel and electricity crisis,” he said.
Mashaal’s defiant remarks came as visiting Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen met with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem and demanded Hamas cease all terrorist activity.
“I condemn the firing of Qassam rockets on Sderot,” Ynetnews.com quoted Verhagen as saying after having toured the damage incurred by Israelis living in Gaza periphery communities.
“I visited the city and saw the people living in fear...No government can afford a situation in which its citizens are living under fire,” Verhagen said.
He added, a way must be found to show the Palestinians the alternatives “in order to stop them from leaning towards the extreme.”
Verhagen is one of the only international officials to openly vindicate Israel in the midst of the Gaza crisis.
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Source: Original text contributed by the author, IHC reporter.
Copyright © Israel Hasbara Committee, 24 January 2008.
Permission is granted to use this material on condition the Israel Hasbara Committee is properly credited and that it is not for commercial purposes.
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