30 November 1999

Press Statement

The arrest of several national figures by the Palestinian Authority

Commenting on the arrest campaign and the imposing of house arrest by the self-rule authority against a number of Palestinian national figures after they signed a statement condemning the tyranny and corruption in the PA and its various bodies, which also condemned the PA’s political deception and misleading of our people regarding the final status negotiations, a responsible source in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has stated the following:

Hamas condemns the arrest campaigns being implemented by the security bodies of the Palestinian Authority against a number of Palestinian national figures and the imposing of house arrest on the veteran Bassam al-Shakaa and others who signed the statement. It considers these arbitrary and suppressive measures a continuation of the PA’s policy of dictatorship, oppression and confiscation of freedoms.

All Palestinians will readily agree on the questions raised by the national figures that signed the statement. Hamas and other national forces and figures used to expose the reality of the agreements signed with the Zionist Enemy and to reveal the relinquishments regarding their rights, land, holy places, and the dignity of our people.

We call upon the PA to reconsider its policies, to rectify perversities within its ranks, and to stop the series of relinquishments and abandonment of the rights of our people it introduces to the Zionist Enemy in every round of negotiations.

The status of tension and confusion being experienced within the PA and its bodies is a direct result of the PA’s ongoing questionable practices and the stalemate in the peace process, which has failed to achieve the promises made by the PA to our people, and the expected introduction of serious relinquishments in the present negotiations regarding the issues of Jerusalem, the return of refugees, Jewish settlements, prisoners, Statehood, the borders, water issues and others.

We call upon the PA to promptly release the detainees and to lift the house arrest imposed on the national figures. We also call upon it to release from its jails Hamas and other prisoners who have been detained because of their political opinions and stands.

Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas - Palestine