Hamas protesters in Gaza warn against concessions to Israel - Haaretz

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Sat., November 17, 2007 Kislev 7, 5768

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		A Palestinian woman attends a rally organized by Hamas movement in Gaza on Friday. (Reuters)

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Last update - 21:53 16/11/2007

Hamas protesters in Gaza warn against concessions to Israel

By The Associated Press

tags: Annapolis, Gaza Strip, Hamas

Thousands of Hamas loyalists warned Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in a Gaza City demonstration Friday that violence would erupt if he makes concessions to Israel in an upcoming U.S.-sponsored peace conference.

The protest of about 10,000 Hamas loyalists highlighted tensions between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah Party. The gathering came just days after Hamas security shot and killed eight civilians at a large Fatah rally that was the Western-backed movement's greatest showing of force since Hamas wrested control of the Gaza Strip in June.

Abbas called on Thursday for action against the Hamas rulers of Gaza, saying, "We have to bring down this bunch... (that) is abusing the sufferings and pains of our people." As the leader of the West Bank after he kicked Hamas out of the government and installed his own, Abbas will attend the meeting with Israel in Annapolis, Maryland later this month. Hamas is not invited.

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Khalil al-Haya, a Hamas leader, warned of violence if Palestinian rights over the Al Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem are denied. "Bloodshed will also result if Israel does not open Gaza's crossings with the outside world," he said. Israel closed the passages after Hamas' takeover of Gaza.

"We warn the whole region... against harming Al Aqsa, meddling with our basic rights, or tightening the siege," al-Haya told the crowd of about 10,000 outside Abbas' house, which Hamas security controls. "We warn of a huge explosion, in which Palestinians will blow up in all places... No seas or barbed wire will prevent that."

Al-Haya did not specifically say Hamas would carry out suicide bombings, though the remarks appeared to be a veiled threat of a return to attacks. Hamas has carried out dozens of suicide bombings in Israel in which hundreds have been killed. The group has not been involved in suicide bombings since 2004.

The defense establishment has predicted that Hamas could try to violently derail the peace conference if it appears progress is being made toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Hamas demonstrators called on Abbas not to make concessions on Palestinian demands regarding Jerusalem, the borders of a Palestinian state and the return of Palestinian refugees to homes they fled when Israel was established in 1948.

"We are coming to you Al Aqsa," the crowd chanted. Through a loudspeaker a man shouted, "Let the land burn under the feet of those who give up the land, the right of return, and Jerusalem."

Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, said the rally was a message to the Annapolis conference.

The demonstration was a response in part to the Knesset's initial approval on Wednesday of a bill that would require 80 of parliament's 120 lawmakers to approve territorial concessions on Jerusalem, making it harder to win approval of any agreement that includes a division of the city.

Palestinians were also unnerved by a visit by Israeli lawmakers to East Jerusalem, including areas around the Al Aqsa mosque.

Hamas' rivalry with Abbas' Fatah movement and control of the Gaza Strip undermine Abbas' ability to negotiate a peace deal on behalf of all Palestinians, and preside over a future state.

Abbas' comments Thursday were his first clear demand that Hamas be ousted since the militant group seized power in Gaza. He did not urge an uprising against Hamas, but apparently wanted to capitalize on growing discontent with Hamas among the 1.5 million residents in the impoverished territory.

Despite Abbas' tough words, he has little influence in Gaza. Hamas has tried to cement its grip on the territory since the rally, rounding up more than 400 Fatah activists and announcing media restrictions and plans to limit public gatherings.

On Friday, Hamas said it had released dozens of the Fatah detainees but was continuing to hold and interrogate an unspecified number who were directly involved in the disturbances. Fatah says 450 people were arrested in all.

The New-York based Human Rights Watch called on Hamas in a statement Friday to investigate its security forces' excessive and indiscriminate force against pro-Fatah demonstrators.

Hamas had said Thursday that it established a commission to look into the violence. Human Rights Watch said the body must be truly independent and lead to the prosecution of anyone who broke the law.

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1.	We`ll blackmail the world to show our morality	18:21	\|	Jasmine Murphy	16/11/07

2.	The Temple Mount is East Jerusalem?	19:57	\|	Ali Hassan	16/11/07

3.	"The moderate Abbas" - is not a moderate	20:11	\|	redmike	16/11/07

4.	So Hamas is now begging Israel to open crossings after Fatah	20:29	\|	Genuine Tosefta	16/11/07

5.	Abbas irrseponsibility for power in Gaza	21:43	\|	Joseph E .	16/11/07

6.	Concessions	21:52	\|	B	16/11/07

7.	Khalil al-Haya should be arrested or targeted	22:03	\|	Kipperraes	16/11/07

8.	Burka in Gaza	22:16	\|	KUTW	16/11/07

9.	Scary	22:16	\|	juniper	16/11/07

10.	Hamas protesters	22:16	\|	Cherry Hill Bruce	16/11/07

11.	And the world pities the poor Suffering Palestinians	22:26	\|	Dolly	16/11/07

12.	Where are all the `human rights" advocates...	22:33	\|	Tom	16/11/07

13.	AND WE`RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE WITH PEACE WITH HER IN THE PICTURE	23:53	\|	HAL TRIPP	16/11/07

14.	BooHoo. Crossings stay shut until Shalit returned, Kassams stop.	00:02	\|	Dr. L. Brnd	17/11/07

15.	Hamas protesters......	00:03	\|	Judah N. Wenkel	17/11/07

16.	The old quisling should resign before it`s too late for him!	02:15	\|	lakshmi	17/11/07

17.	How ironic Mr. Abbas complains about Hamas now...	03:12	\|	Dutch	17/11/07

18.	Au contraire, #1	03:15	\|	Steve	17/11/07

19.	Happy to hear it Steve, The photo says it all.	04:54	\|	MaryRose	17/11/07

20.	FATAH/MODERATES Must Win/Prevail! Hamas, Etc. Must Lose.	05:00	\|	Proud Pal Defender	17/11/07

21.	SOLUTION: Hamas, Etc. In Gaza And Fatah In The West Bank.	05:05	\|	Proud Pal Defender	17/11/07

22.	Hamas Warning	05:24	\|	Al	17/11/07

23.	Whoa! Since When Al Aqsa is part of East Jerusalem ?	07:16	\|	Joseph E .	17/11/07

24.	Better solution: Hamas in Mecca, Fatah in Medina,Israel in Israel	07:32	\|	Proud Arab Attacker	17/11/07

25.	Next suicide bomber held by this elated mother of shaid picture	07:36	\|	Genuine Tosefta	17/11/07

26.	Proud Pal	07:59	\|	Nick	17/11/07

27.	To everyone	08:28	\|	Nick	17/11/07

28.	dutch	11:56	\|	danny	17/11/07

29.	GAZA SUPERPOWER IN THE WORLD IS THRETANING ISRAEL?LOL	12:36	\|	IL supporter	17/11/07

30.	Hamas`s tantrums	13:05	\|	Margie in Tel Aviv	17/11/07

31.	HAMAS :THE GAZA ZOO KEEPER	13:20	\|	T.Urmoil	17/11/07

32.	Advise for Abbas. Forget Annapolis, wait for Moscow meeting	14:17	\|	Natallie Durson	17/11/07

33.	Hamas	16:16	\|	Abu Yusuf	17/11/07

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