The Gaza Strip’s Hamas Premier Ismail Haniyeh is surrounded by security guards as he makes a victory sign after a meeting with a Turkish leader in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. (Photo: AP)
Following Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ success with his bid for statehood at the United Nations last week, the prime minister of Hamas is seeking to get his organization removed from designated terrorist lists.
An offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas is primarily located in the Gaza Strip and has become markedly more aggressive since Israel pulled out of the area in 2005. A designated terror group by the United States and other international bodies, the organization’s founding documents call for the destruction of Israel.
Now, though, they are turning the tables, and are marketing themselves as the victims.
Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Sunday to a European delegation that Hamas is a “national liberation movement” seeking only to defend itself against Israeli “aggression,” the Jerusalem Post reports.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the occupation is committing war crimes, given the cruelty and hardship our people faced in these eight days of war,” he added, saying Hamas eventually aims for “a Palestinian state with complete sovereignty, with Jerusalem as its capital, and the return of the refugees to the lands they owned in 1948.”
Though such an outcome would effectively mean the end of the state of Israel, Haniyeh claims he is happy to coexist with Jews, just not those in Israel.
“We have no problem with Jews worldwide, and we don’t oppose Jews because of their Jewish identity,” Channel 10 reportedly quoted him saying. “We have a problem with the occupation that controls our land.”
Israel National News reminds that the move comes days after Hamas indiscriminately fired roughly 1,500 rockets into Israel during an 8-day November conflict.
Not exactly transformed from their violent origins, it should also be noted that Hamas’ military wing publicly executed six “suspected collaborators” with Israel just two weeks ago, dragging at least one of the bodies semi-naked behind a motorcycle. The rest of the murdered were left in the streets, where crowds stomped and spit on them.
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Related:
- Abbas Returns to West Bank in Triumph After U.N. Statehood Vote — Tells Crowds Jerusalem Is the ‘Eternal Capital of Palestine’
- Hamas No. 2: ‘No Way’ We Are Going to Stop ‘Obtaining and Manufacturing’ Weapons During Cease-Fire
- Report: Rahm Emanuel Bluntly Accuses Netanyahu of Betting on Wrong Candidate in U.S. Elections During Closed DC Forum
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Comments (84)
Depressed_American
Dec. 3, 2012 at 9:00pmThe USA NEEDS to get out of the United Nations!!! AND KICK the United Nations OUT of the USA!!!
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nzkiwi
Dec. 3, 2012 at 9:44pmYes, it does, and the rest of the freedom-loving nations of the world need to do the same.
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Wolfgang the Gray
Dec. 3, 2012 at 11:17pmThe forces of darkness are gathering against Israel. Obama seeks to put us on the side of darkness.
We need to stand with Israel and not with terrorists that chant for the destruction of Israel. God will not hold us guiltless if we allow a second Holocaust to happen.
I stand with Israel. Genesis 12:3.
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DadRocked
Dec. 3, 2012 at 11:59pmMy curiosity to the headline, “International Push…”
Who specifically, for there is no mention of the whom side?
I can speculate, but I try to only do that at playing Gin Rummy.
Seriously and curiously, how about a list of those countries ‘pushing’…
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The_Jerk
Dec. 4, 2012 at 12:52amYes they do. America also needs to stay out of the Middle East.
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December4
Dec. 4, 2012 at 5:39amI agree. The UN is the largest repository on the planet for ant-semitism and anti-Americanism. Read fresh political commentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
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flaboater1
Dec. 4, 2012 at 6:02amThere is no surprise here…Look at Psalm 83…There time is coming. The Bible will not miss a prophecy…I
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YourVoiceMatters
Dec. 4, 2012 at 9:04amwith this administration cow towing to the un?
Sure thing ….when hell freezes over!
This administration is embedded with muslims,
brotherhood types
all you had to do is look at obama with Beebe and
see the body language…
Israel and the US were sold down the river by the gimme gimme bunch…
and lying media in the bag for obama
So really i do not expect to get the truth anytime soon. Do You?
nor the UN out of the US!
Sadly, what we want does not matter to this bunch ….
they won! You don’t count!
Pretty much says what their attitude is…
People will have to be way sick of everything,
before they even glimpse the handwriting on the wall
by then It will be all but too late!
Rather pray for Israel
God is still on the throne….
but this bunch has yet to acknowledge that!
after all this is no longer a Christian nation according to obama…
So Please don’t hold your breath !
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HigherRoad
Dec. 4, 2012 at 4:57pmYou are so right! Obama has emboldened the muslims and is likely encouraging the mounting aggression against Israel. Congress had better hold the line on the UN power grab, but I’m not holding my breath! One thing is assured–God gets the last word!
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wthtamfm
Dec. 4, 2012 at 7:44pmAmen!
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mbean
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:58pmObama is a disaster not just for America, but the whole world. His Islamic appeasement will be ridiculed by future historians. God help us all.
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zoro51
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:56pmUH WRONG hamas IS THE TERRORISTS not isreal.. MUSLUMS ARE IN A MAN MADE CULT OF HAT EN DEATH PERIOD they are blood liusted HORNEY to KILL all.. not isreal…
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liltexasgal
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:47pmThe right of return: coming soon to a town near you
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ZAP
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:37pmWoe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
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The_Jerk
Dec. 4, 2012 at 12:53amYour correct. They’re all evil.
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DEFCON4
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:37pmCheck out, this ‘Hasbara’ political cartoon :”Po’ Little Gaza”..http://youtu.be/Cbdnu_R9G40…
It sums it all up!
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Beachmastermax
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:37pmYour kidding me, the Anti-Christ and his one world order is doing that?
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MAX0O1
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:37pmISRAEL if these ANIMALS GO AFTER YOU HIT them with everything you have——
INCLUDING NUKES IF NEED BE.
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SirhanSirhan
Dec. 3, 2012 at 10:49pm@ MAX0O1- You dummy, the Israelis would be nuking themselves if they used nukes…I know, your strategy is, yes, but we’ll hit them as well (in my Edward Longshanks voice).
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liltexasgal
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:27pmDoes this “right of return” argument only work for the Palestinians? Watch out everyone because, if Palestinians win this fight, it will open up the flood gates for other land grabs. Mexicans, led by groups like La Raza have been trying to claim the right of return to Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California for years. This is a very dangerous precedent and has absolutely nothing to do with fairness and everything to do with the new world order/Agenda 21.
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Beachmastermax
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:45pmWhat do you mean “mexican right of return”? It was mainly the local hispanic population of those states that joined forces with very few Americans to throw Mexico out. Then they petitioned to join the Union. Mexico could not have been ejected without the complicent effort of the native Hispanics.
No Mexicans left those future states they instantly became Americans, in fact illegal immigration from Mexico into the U.S. probably started immediately.
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paperpushermj
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:25pmI have a question regarding the question of “Occupation”? Just who had legal jurisdiction of the West Bank back in 1968 at the time of the 6 day war? It wasn’t Jordan, it wasn’t the Palestinians because it was before they as a movement came on the scene. So if no one can claim the West Bank how is it Occupied which implies something extra legal.
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nzkiwi
Dec. 3, 2012 at 10:15pm@ Paper
It is a long and complicated story. In short, the British ruled the area since the first world war (Balfour Declaration). The jews wanted to move in en masse after WW2 and had to fight the British to do it. Israel declared independence in 1948 and has been fighting various arab factions ever since.
In 1964 the KGB created “Palestine” and wrote the charter in Moscow. The KGB also selected the first council members. This was done in order that USSR might have more influence and control in the area.
There never was a Palestinian “nation”. Most “Palestinians” originally considered themselves Jordanians, with the rest being Syrians and others. Jews lived in Israel prior to, and during the British Mandate, but in small numbers, and were under the control of the local muslims.
I agree that this is a gross over simplification and glosses over some important things, but thats the bare bones.
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Elena2010
Dec. 4, 2012 at 1:00amThe West Bank is better known by its historic designation: Judea and Samaria. It became the West Bank so Arafat could erase any Jewish historical connection to the area. Clever little booger, he was!
Until Arafat, Jews were called the Palestinians while the Arabs were either Arabs or affiliated by country of origin like Jordanian, Egyptian, Syrian, etc., as noted above.
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mrs.janet.murgatroid
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:25pmIslam should be classified as a terrorist group, over 100 million women having genital female mutilation, honor killings, their whole culture is an abomination.
Hopefully if Muslims destroy normal human beings then at least future robots may wipe them out;
British mathematician Irving John Good wrote a paper in 1965 that predicted that robots will be the “last invention” that humans will ever make. “Let an ultraintelligent machine be defined as a machine that can far surpass all the intellectual activities of any man however clever. Since the design of machines is one of these intellectual activities, an ultraintelligent machine could design even better machines; there would then unquestionably be an ‘intelligence explosion,’ and the intelligence of man would be left far behind.”
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Stelex
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:37pmI have always felt that man was a stepping stone to understand the universe. Evolution lead to man, man will lead to machine and machine will dominate man. Logically to explore the universe, machines are necessary. The conditions, time spans and what not don’t lend themselves to mankind actually moving out to the stars. The universe seeks to understand itself…….machines will pave the way. Thats just my belief, not out to offend religious folk, I’ve stated I’m agnostic. Have you read “The singularity is Near”? very good book, a little to rosey for me but an interesting read.
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IMCHRISTIAN
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:24pmSolution is so simple everybody get along with everybody everybody love not hate treat each other with respect whether male or female. Freedom and peace is great. God is great and God will not be mocked.
Life is Short and Eternity is forever.
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Stelex
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:41pmGood plan, but not working. If there is a god, he should step in soon. I’m not mocking, I’m agnostic. But if he’s available I’d love to see the show. Even if it costs me.
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nzkiwi
Dec. 3, 2012 at 10:17pmIt makes a nice thought, but it will never happen, and the reason is simple. It contravenes human nature. Sad, but true.
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:22pmHow long now until a coalition of forces, led by Obama via the UN, invade Israel for the cause of ‘freedom for the Palestinian people?’
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IdahoBlaze
Dec. 3, 2012 at 10:24pmI’m thinking not too much longer, unfortunately. I can’t believe the upside-down-ness of this whole thing. It’s just so ridiculous!
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LeadNotFollow
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:22pm.
Israel IS NOT the aggressor!!!
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DREDGE
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:17pmOnce Israel is attacked by a massive muslim movement they should unload all the nukes and missiles they have and totally fry the place because there will no stopping the muslims until every jew is dead.
Apparently, the world powers sympathize with muslims for some reason and disregard the jew’s right to live in their land. Obama will ultimately do everything he can to tie the hands of the jews until they submit themselves into muslim slavery.
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liltexasgal
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:42pmThe reason the UN and world powers are siding with the Palestinians is because once the “right of return” precedent has been set, the UN can enforce it around the world. Mexico will claim right of return to parts of the USA, all borders will be removed and the UN will take control of the new world order.
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Stelex
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:47pmLTG is dead on……They want Russia to merge with the EU, they South America, America and Canada to merge……its piece by piece. They are trying to create the one wold union. It will end very badly.
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nzkiwi
Dec. 3, 2012 at 10:22pmSadly, I also think that LTG is largely right. And the longer this problem is ignored, or “the can is kicked down the road” as you Americans say, the harder and costlier will be the eventual battle.
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Walkabout
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:07pmThe right of return is all about trying to get a demographic advantage in Israel & then trying to make is a Palestinian state. After going control they would make life hard on Jews, Arab Christians, Druze, Moderate Muslims (there are a few). Eventually after making life hard enough to make many Jews move they start pogroms small enough to stay under the radar , but sever enough to convince any Jews not killed to move out.
Neither Israel nor the West Bank is that big. If there is enough room for the refugees in Israel then there is enough room for them in the West Bank.
The Muslim Brotherhood is in the ascendancy. But it is also in the driver’s eat which means it has a track record now that everyone can see & none can deny. Sux to be stupid, greedy & conniving like them.
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Max jones
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:28pmEgypt’s policy of rejecting palestinians as immigrants. is the policy part of the agenda to make the palestinians look like ‘victims’ of Israeli aggression. Its another part of the ‘war’ over Jerusalem. And make no mistake, Jerusalem is the coveted prize in this conflict…..the palestinians are merely ‘cannon fodder” to the extreme islamists.
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neverending
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:05pmGuess they were just waiting to see if their big bud barry was re-elected and sure enough we just handed him another four years just like that and so just like he said he will be much more flexible after his re-election – guess they were listening very closely and know they can count on him. Anyone who voted for this sorry sob awake yet?
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PapaJohannesPatriot
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:04pmHamas is a terrorist group whatever any of those morons say. The main objective is to kill all Jews. That makes them a terrorist group, not a bunch of innocent saints. Obama’s fault.
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:02pmI’m surprised it’s taken Barry this long to try to get his friends off that list and I still don’t understand why Israel doesn’t kill every squatter on the west bank,it’s mind boggling.When the nut job in Iran gets his nuke he will annihilate Israel so I don’t know what they’re waiting for?
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Walkabout
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:15pmMuslims have been killing Jews for over 100 years there. When the area was still ruled by the Ottomans and the Jews had no military & could use no force, they were attacked. That is why the formed self defense units (The Hagannah) for their communal farms. Eventually they started meeting force with force instead of getting murdered. They don’t have the saying turn the other cheek which liberals purposely mischaracterize like the jailhouse type lawyers they are.
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kaydeebeau
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:24pmthose who curse Israel are doomed – God doesn’t go back on His Covenants -he can amend them – hint – Jesus – He doesn’t void any covenant – no matter what -
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Hawk69
Dec. 4, 2012 at 4:35amThe Jews have been too soft, weak, progressive, whatever you want to call it for too long. If the Palestinians ever had the upper hand over the Jews they would have killed every last Jew man, woman, and child. The same goes for every Arab Muslims nation in the middle east. I think during the 6 day war would have been the perfect time for Israel to eradicate their Palestinian enemies, but the Israelis were never bold enough to confront their enemy head on. They probably figured the USA gov would always have their back and they have never had the green light from the USA to squash the Palestinian terrorist Jihads. And most American Jews are socialist democrats even though the democrats don’t support Jews. Stupidity runs strong in the Jew race.
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Elena2010
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:02pmHamas and their supporters are barking mad!
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HelloWorld
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:01pmComing to a country near you.
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Mutiny
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:00pmThis has the UN written all over it. Thank you GOP establishment for not pushing as part of your platform to leave the UN. Who doesnt like to pay to be hated in public and watch as our real allies get trashed on a constant basis.
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:24pmThe UN and Obama along with Soros. Obama will use the UN to launch a crusade to ‘free the people of Palestine from the oppressors of Israel.’
Obama is utterly insane, and he is capable of striking out at Israel w/o hesitation.
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tzion
Dec. 3, 2012 at 9:12pmFully agree. Those pushing for this might as well just get it over with and make it illegal to respond to any act of Islamic terror no matter how many people are killed. Hamas cheered 9/11, has bombed civilian buses, restaurants, malls, markets and many others, and indiscriminately rains rockets down on civilian neighborhoods. If that’s not terrorism than murder might as well be legal in every country.
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TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:00pmSad part is that there are those on the left… and those on the ahem, liberty and freedom “fringe right” who would agree with Morsi on a number of fronts…
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TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:03pmCorrection… not Morsi…. “Haniyeh”…
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Fubared
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:07pmJihad jerk, sillyrefreshener, windydualism, mbe, merchantmarine25, encinomom, monicene, pantsfull, modbeast …and on and on and on. Eh, F em all and the puckered goat/camel they road in on.
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AUsername
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:16pmu mad bro?
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TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:25pmFUBARED. Lol… you have a pretty good list going there. Let’s not leave off the TECHENGINEER, ASHESTOASHES types either.
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tzion
Dec. 4, 2012 at 6:16pmYou can add Longknifed to that list as well.
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Fubared
Dec. 3, 2012 at 7:55pmMust be Jihad Jerk’s birthday.
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SPOT_OF_TEA
Dec. 3, 2012 at 7:54pmWhat is wrong with the world?
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Stelex
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:21pmProgressives!!!!, Globalists!!!!, Liberals!!!!…….in that order
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Max jones
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:37pmNO NO NO its globalists progressives and liberals!!!!
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The-Monk
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:37pmHi Stelex,
As soon as I read your, “In that order”, I thought it is more like the 3 of them swirling circularly in a toilet bowl.
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Stelex
Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:43pmMonk, I stand corrected, I like your visual ;-)
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The-Monk
Dec. 3, 2012 at 9:37pmHi Stelex,
Not just a visual… it stinks about the same and leads to the same place. : (
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