2 December 1999

Statement on the wicked assault against Dr. Muaweya al-Masri

With deep concern and anger, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) learned of the assault by gunfire against Dr. Muaweya al-Masri in Nablus of the West Bank, which threatened his life. This cowardly attempt is directly and plainly linked to the statement issued by a number of national figures criticizing the corruption that is widespread among Palestinian Authority circles and its destructive consequences on our Palestinian society, and rejecting the policy of relinquishment and abandonment of our People’s rights and land through negotiations with the Zionist Enemy.

While we condemn this crime, we hold the Palestinian Authority responsible for it because of the suppressive spheres it has created and its shriveling reactions, including the threatening of those who signed the statement. We consider this an attempt to terrify and silence those who oppose it and also an attempt to prevent them from exposing facts concerning the conduct of the PA, its corruption and relinquishments.

What the PA did when it gathered its subjects, employees and members of its security bodies to stage ceremonial rallies, when it pushed the Legislative Council to condemn some of its members who signed the statement and when it threatened them in order to protect its reputation reveals that this Authority is fragile and lacks credibility. It also reflects the gap between the Authority and the ambitions of our People and their popular opinion.

While we in Hamas condemn the policy of political assassination in dealing with those who oppose the peace process and who call for reformation, we call upon the PA to reconsider its policies and accounts, to treat the corruption within its ranks and to put an end to the policy of relinquishments instead of insisting on its mistakes.

Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas - Palestine