Abbas Outlaws Armed Groups of Hamas
A Palestinian resistant from Hamas guards the gate of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' office that was taken over two days ago by Hamas, in Gaza City, Saturday, June 16, 2007. The United States strengthened its offer of support for President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, telling him an international aid embargo against the Palestinians would end as soon as he forms a new government without Hamas, aides to Abbas and a Western diplomat said. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)Abbas Outlaws Armed Groups of Islamic Militant Group Hamas, Swears in Emergency Cabinet
17 June 2007
RAMALLAH, West Bank: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday issued a decree outlawing the armed groups of the Islamic militant group Hamas and said its members would be prosecuted.
Earlier, a senior aide to Abbas said the Hamas movement itself was declared banned. However, his office later said the ban applied only to the armed groups of Hamas.
According to a decree issued by Abbas and obtained by The Associated Press, the ban applies to the Hamas militia, known as the Executive Force, and to Hamas' other armed groups.
Abbas wrote that he decided to "consider the Executive Unit and the militias of the Hamas movement illegal, due to their military coup against the Palestinian legitimacy and its institutions."
"Anyone who is involved in any of these two groups is going to be punished, according to the law and the orders of the state of emergency," the decree said.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that Abbas "unfortunately is involved in the American-Israeli conspiracy, along with some Arab parties, to bring down the Hamas movement.
"Hamas as a movement has ties and roots to the hearts of the Palestinians, and the resistance will continue and cannot be stopped," he said.
Also Sunday, Abbas swore in an emergency Cabinet, to replace the Hamas-Fatah coalition he dismantled after Hamas took control of Gaza by force this week.
The Cabinet is led by respected economist Salam Fayyad, who will also serve as finance minister.
Hamas said it considers the new emergency Palestinian government illegal.
"The Islamic Resistance Movement considers this government illegitimate and illegal," said Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan. "We will not recognize it. We will not work with it."
Despite its opposition to the government, Radwan said Hamas will not punish ministers in the new government who come from Gaza.
In taking office, Fayyad said the new government would work to end the chaos and provide security for the Palestinians.
"We are going to work with clean hands, systematically," he said.
Addressing the Palestinians in Gaza, he said: "You are in our hearts, and the top of our agenda. The dark images, the shameful things that are alien to our traditions ... are not going to stop us."
It is "time to work together for Palestine," he said.
According to a decree issued by Abbas and obtained by The Associated Press, the ban applies to the Hamas militia, known as the Executive Force, and to Hamas' other armed groups.
Abbas wrote that he decided to "consider the Executive Unit and the militias of the Hamas movement illegal, due to their military coup against the Palestinian legitimacy and its institutions."
"Anyone who is involved in any of these two groups is going to be punished, according to the law and the orders of the state of emergency," the decree said.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that Abbas "unfortunately is involved in the American-Israeli conspiracy, along with some Arab parties, to bring down the Hamas movement.
"Hamas as a movement has ties and roots to the hearts of the Palestinians, and the resistance will continue and cannot be stopped," he said.
Also Sunday, Abbas swore in an emergency Cabinet, to replace the Hamas-Fatah coalition he dismantled after Hamas took control of Gaza by force this week.
The Cabinet is led by respected economist Salam Fayyad, who will also serve as finance minister.
Hamas said it considers the new emergency Palestinian government illegal.
"The Islamic Resistance Movement considers this government illegitimate and illegal," said Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan. "We will not recognize it. We will not work with it."
Despite its opposition to the government, Radwan said Hamas will not punish ministers in the new government who come from Gaza.
In taking office, Fayyad said the new government would work to end the chaos and provide security for the Palestinians.
"We are going to work with clean hands, systematically," he said.
Addressing the Palestinians in Gaza, he said: "You are in our hearts, and the top of our agenda. The dark images, the shameful things that are alien to our traditions ... are not going to stop us."
It is "time to work together for Palestine," he said.
posted by HRM Deborah of Israel and the Messenger of Peace at 6:16 PM
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