Hamas leader vows attacks on Israel

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, March 29, 2004

Hamas leader vows attacks on Israel

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Leader of Islamic resistance movement Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip asserted Sunday that the Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation would escalate in the wake of the assassination of Ahmed Yassin, founder and spiritual leader of the movement.

"The doors now are wide open for attacks inside Israel, and I expect the response to the assassination of Sheikh Yassin to be the strongest," Abdel-Aziz Ranteesi, the Hamas leader, told reportersin a statement.

Ranteesi, named as the movement's new leader in Gaza one dayafter the assassination of Yassin on Monday, asserted that he would follow the footsteps of Yassin, as the Palestinian tragedy has lasted too long and must end.

He denied reports about his link with Al-Qaida, saying thatthere was no connection between Hamas and Al-Qaida and the movement will resume its resistance inside, not outside the Palestinian territories.

He reiterated his hate to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, "I despise the leaders who kill more than 2,700 Palestinians during their term, I despise all those who cut off our olive branches and occupied our lands. Yes, I despise Sharon."

The Hamas movement's leader called on the Arab countries toclose the Israeli diplomatic missions and embassies and boycott Israel on the security, political, economical and cultural domains.

"Isn't it time for you to stand strong with your people in the face of the US and Zionist who have violated our Arab dignity,"Ranteesi addressed Arab leaders.

He appealed to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and itsleader Yasser Arafat to lift the bans imposed by the PNA on the funds of a number of charity organizations.

"By the name of Hamas and its leader Khaled Mashaal, I call onPresident Arafat to release the funds of orphans and the destitute,particularly after the assassination of Sheikh Yassin," he said.

He added that the Palestinian Supreme Court had decreed to release the funds, wondering how the PNA could reinstate justice and law while justices about the charity associations' funds haven't been done yet.

He called on the PNA to boycott Israel, saying that the Israeli assassination of Yassin and the construction of the separation wall in the West Bank showed peace is impossible.

Source: Xinhua

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