23 June 2002

In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful

 We reject acquiescence to Zionist-American dictates

Elements of Palestinian Authority security apparatuses have arrested a number of Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, activists and Mujahideen in a strange and a denounced step. Some of those elements attempted to arrest Mujahid Dr. Abdul Aziz Ranteesi. This step came at a time when the Zionist enemy was wreaking havoc in the West Bank cities, villages and refugee camps, arresting thousands of our people and Mujahideen and killing women and children in markets as what happened in Jenin a couple of days ago. The step also came at a time when the Zionist enemy started building the so-called “segregating fence” after its “Defensive Shield” operation failed to end resistance or obstruct its program as our people and Mujahideen from various factions and forces retaliated with qualitative and martyrdom operations deep into the Zionist entity. The operations also included storming enemy camps in the West Bank and Gaza and clashes with occupation soldiers who fell easy prey in face of our strong Mujahideen.

We, in the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, believe that such a denounced step is an acquiescence to dictates of the Zionist enemy and to wishes of the American administration so that the PA would prove itself as the appropriate policeman that is capable of protecting the enemy’s security.

We would like to affirm the following:

1- This serious step tampers with our national unity and only benefits our enemy’s interest. We urge all rational figures to immediately interfere to protect this national unity that was endorsed on the ground by our people and their Mujahideen.

2- We warn of arresting our people’s leaders and Mujahideen and we affirm that our people would not remain arms-folded in face of such practices. Our people are capable of protecting their brave resistance and honorable leaders and the only  option left to them. Our brave people’s protection of the Movement’s leaders in the Gaza Strip in the areas of Marj Al-Zuhhour, Shija’iah, Yarmouk and near the Islamic University serves as a warning sign of our people’s anger over such dangerous practices.

3- Our Jihad operations against occupation, especially the martyrdom operations, would continue, God willing, and would not be checked by such rejected and suspicious practices. The PA security apparatuses’ conspiracies and their practices, which our people had always shunned, would not obstruct the Jihad march.

Our people and our Ummah:

The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, its Mujahideen and leaders would remain loyal to the pledge, God willing, to continue in Jihad and resistance until Allah ordains victory “And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take!”.

And it is a Jihad until either victory or  martyrdom

Islamic Resistance Movement
Hamas – Palestine
Sunday 13^th Rabee Thani 1423H
23^rd June 2002AD