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Hamas
Set for Change?
Interview
with Hamas Member Muhammad Nazal
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Muhammad
Nazal |
Many
might have argued that the floor was indeed shaken underneath Hamas,
if not Palestinian resistance as a whole. On the domestic level, the
departure of the movement’s founder and spiritual guide Sheikh
Ahmad Yassin set the ground for a number of questions over the
future of the movement and its reaction to the assassination. On the
regional and global level, Muslims from around the world have
considered the assassination a direct attack on their dignity,
resolve and the quest for freedom, symbolized in the person of
Sheikh Yassin.
IslamOnline
interviewed Mr. Muhammad Nazal, a member of its political bureau,
for an answer to many of the questions raised over the future of
Hamas resistance; its forms, means and leadership. Is Hamas on the
verge of fundamental changes affecting its future with Israel
IOL:
In view of the recent assassination of the Sheikh. How do you think
it will affect the future leadership of Hamas? Will there be
significant changes in the management of the organization?
There
will be no changes in the strategies of Hamas. As for the leadership
of the movement, Dr. Rantissi has been chosen to be in charge of
leadership in Gaza, as for the prime person in charge now, he is Mr.
Khaled Meshaal the chairman of the political bureau, as no changes
had undergone to his post.
The
management of Hamas is not centralized. Sheikh Yassin was a father
figure to us all. He was the spiritual guide of the movement. Yet
the management of the movement has always been defused, and Rantissi
and Meshaal have always been important leading figures in this
regard.
IOL:
There are many observers who noted that the assassination of Sheikh
Yassin will in fact lead to further radicalization of Hamas. Some
fear the possibility that the group will disintegrate into separate
factions that will become more focused on militancy, which could
affect other services in the organization. Your comments?
There
is no reason for such fears, such fears are only the hopes of the
Zionist enemy, they thought that by assassinating Sheikh Yassin they
would create a gap or
disorder in the movement.
Radicalization?
Hamas has never been a radical movement, it is an institutionalized
movement with a clear agenda, and its policy is carried out in
accordance with the consensus of the majority of the Palestinian
people.
IOL:
Sheikh Yassin was a father figure to all Palestinians. How will
Hamas fill this void?
Surely,
Sheikh Ahmad Yassin was an important symbol to the Palestinians, yet
this doesn’t mean that the Palestinians are unable to create new
leaders. The Palestinians introduced to the world a lot of leaders
that carried the cause and strife.
IOL: In the statement by Qassam brigades following the
assassination, there was an unclear announcement that the duty to
take revenge for the life of the Sheikh is now the duty of all
Muslims, not just Palestinians. Are they suggesting that Muslims
everywhere are now to take militant operations from all around the
world?
Of
course not, we advise all Muslims to take their role in military
operations against the Zionist enemy, but only inside Palestine. If
there are people able to cross the borders and enter Palestine
they are asked to answer this call for Jihad as soon as possible.
IOL:
What are the chances of the resistance moving to out of Palestine’s
borders? Do you plan on targeting Zionist interests all over the
world?
No,
the policy of Hamas is to fight inside the
Occupied
Territories only.
IOL:
Will Hamas change its outlook now to include enmity towards the US
directly? Is it likely to participate in operations that are
directed at US interests?
It
is not our policy to target American interests; our resistance will
be only against Zionists.
IOL:
But wasn’t the Sheikh assassinated with US armaments? Do you not
feel that the escalation against the US
itself might serve your interests?
It
is true that the USA is the prime supporter of the Zionist entity,
but we don’t see that it is wise to open more than one front; our
fight against those who occupied our land is legally, ethically and
politically accepted.
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