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Jordanian Opposition Lash Out At U.S.
by Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN, April 7, (IslamOnline) - Leaders of Jordanian opposition parties and Professional Unions on Saturday lashed out at the U.S. for what they described as its anti-Arab policy and urged Muslims and Arabs to help Palestinian people in their seven- month-old uprising.
"The U.S. policy is against Arabs interests and they are not an honest mediators for peace," said Azzam Hneidi, chairman of the Professional Unions Council.
"There is no better language than force to liberate Palestine and end Israeli occupation. Israel does not understand any language but this," Hneidi, who was speaking in a public rally to commemorate the 1948 Deir Yassin massacre where Palestinians were slaughtered at the hands of Jewish gangs ahead of the creation of Israel, said.
Since September 28th, when the Intifada broke out, Israel has continuously launched attacks against Palestinian cities and villages, using air, navy and land troops to quash the stone throwers confronting the Israeli army in the West Bank and the Gaza.
Under pressure from Jewish groups in the United States, the U.S. administration has repeatedly criticized Palestinians and said that any resumption in stalled peace talks should come only after Palestinians stop what its described as "Palestinian violence".
Last week, 300 U.S. Congressmen submitted a petition to President George W. Bush urging him to withhold financial assistance to the Palestinians and exert pressure on the Palestine National Authority until it ends what the petition described as "Palestinian terror".
Hneidi also denounced the Jordanian government's decision to ban political parties to stage processions and demonstrations in show of support with the Palestinian people.
Hneidi was referring to last week's decision by Amman governor Tala'at Nawayseh to prevent opposition parties from holding any rally, warning that security authorities will undertake severe actions against violators.
"It is not wise to prevent Jordanians from showing sympathy with Palestinian people who are subjected to Israeli aggression day and night," said Jameel Abu Bakir, member of the executive council of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement.
"The government's decision to ban public rallies will make people explode and resort to unpredictable actions," Abu Bakir added.
Jordanian opposition parties were planning to hold a procession from the Professional Unions premises to the United Nations' headquarters in Amman to protest against Israeli policy but changed plans following the government ban and held their Saturday event inside a closed-hall in the professional unions offices.
But they pledged to undertake the procession "soon" even if the government refuses to grant them the necessary permission.
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