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Muhammad Nazal
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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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