24 November 1999

Statement
Deportation of Hamas leaders

  The Jordanian government on Sunday, 21 November, implemented another provocative step by deporting four Hamas leaders to Qatar. The leaders, who have been detained in a Jordanian prison, are brothers Khalid Misha’al, head of Hamas political bureau; Ibrahim Ghousheh, spokesman; and Ezzat Risheq and Sami Khater, members of the bureau.

We, in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), stress that this step is arbitrary and completely rejected. It is a dangerous measure, which violates the human rights and the Jordanian Constitution. The decision made by the Jordanian government to deport the four Hamas leaders from Jordanian territory was made by one party and hence it puts an end to the mediation efforts that have been exerted to resolve this issue in a way that serves the interests of our Arab and Islamic Nation.

We emphasize that the step was not taken with previous arrangement between the Hamas leadership and any other party and was taken without the approval of the deported leaders. Therefore, we call upon the Jordanian government to reconsider its decision and to allow the four leaders to return home to Amman to their families and homeland. This is an arbitrary measure, which reminds us of the expulsions carried out by the Zionist enemy against our people, and does not resolve the crisis between Hamas and the Jordanian government. We, in Hamas, stress our strong rejection of this measure. We will confront it with all peaceful means possible and will continue the efforts to enable our brothers to return home.

Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas - Palestine