Israel Matzav

Hamas: 'If you deviate from our party line, we will kill you?'

The NEFA Foundation has obtained a new video from dissident members of the Izzadeen al-Qassam Brigades – the military wing of the Hamas terrorist organization in the Palestinian territories – of their recently slain comrade Rami Abu Suweirah (a.k.a. Abu Huzaifah) condemning the political leadership of Hamas for their decision to participate in democratic elections in the Palestinian territories, and for various other "violations of Shariah" (Hat Tip: Counterterrorism Blog). Abu Suweirah insisted,

"I... pledge my innocence before Allah from having... participat[ed] in elections, entering polytheistic councils, making visits to infidel and apostate countries, congratulating and supporting the Christians… As for their supporters, policemen, intelligence agencies, and bodyguards—to all of you, we say: we wash our hands of you, and from what you worship in place of Allah. We wash our hands of your laws and courthouses, your methodology and constitutions. We wash our hands of your governments and courthouses, your slogans and foolish symbols. We have no faith in you, and hostility and permanent hatred have arisen between us forever."

(Arabic translation by CEIFIT).

Let's go to the videotape and then I will have some comments.



There is no indication given here of how Abu Suweirah died. Did he die in an action against the 'infidel Jews' or did he perhaps die in some sort of action against Hamas itself? Hence the way I titled the post. If he died in an action against Hamas itself, this would be most curious, because it would open up another angle of 'resistance' against Hamas' rule in Gaza aside from Fatah terrorists.

Note also the one-upsmanship of religious zealotry that Abu Suweirah represents. These are the kind of people with whom no peace can be made. If they - God forbid - succeed in driving all the Jews off the land, they will move on to their next goal of making the rest of the world into an Islamic caliphate. There's a message in there for the West.

Finally, one has to wonder how NEFA 'obtained' this video, since it was not (as far as I am aware) broadcast on any publicly available media. Not surprisingly, for example, it was not broadcast on Hamas' al-Aqsa television network. This has to make you wonder how much of what's going on in Gaza is known.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:18 AM