Palestinian Leaders and the hostage

Palestinian Authority political leaders advocated kidnapping-for-hostage policy

By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook

Foreign Minister, Mahmud Al-Zahar: Hamas will not hesitate to kidnap Israeli soldiers "to exchange for [Palestinian] prisoners, should the opportunity arise." [Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, March 7, 2006]

Interior Minister Saed Siam: "It is inevitable to kidnap soldiers to exchange for them... There is nothing the resistance cannot do. And when there is a goal and a good plan, the goal can be achieved... [In the past] Hamas succeeded in kidnapping and hiding bodies, but unfortunately, two bodies were handed over for nothing." [Undated video clip from Abu Dhabi TV - before Hamas came into power]

Introduction:
The Palestinian Authority political leadership has been attempting to distance itself from the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Yesterday, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas instructed PA Prime Minister Haniyeh and Interior Minister Saed Siam to "guarantee the release of the abducted soldier." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, June 27, 2006]

However, one must question the sincerity of such public displays, especially by the Hamas leadership. A review of policy articulated by Hamas political leaders, including Interior Minister Siam himself and the PA Foreign Minister, shows that it was the avowed policy of the Hamas political leadership to kidnap Israeli soldiers as hostages to exchange for terrorists. There's another clear show of support for the kidnapping from the political leadership. The Hamas website, Palestine-info.net, has celebrated the killings and kidnapping in graphic posters of smoldering and destroyed Israeli positions, with the words: "Smashed Illusion Operation", and "Crushing Blow on Zionist Enemy". [See opposite and below] Another poster in English on their web site has the names of the three groups accepting responsibility, which includes the Al Qassam Brigades of Hamas, followed by the words: "In the first movie - Mission 1 - Be Back!" [See below] [Quality Operation - Smashed Illusion Operation] The following are policy statements of both Hamas political leaders and Islamic Jihad: Mahmud Al-Zahar, Hamas, Foreign Minister "The Head of Hamas party in the Palestinian Legislative Council, [and current Foreign Minister-ed] Dr. Mahmud Al-Zahar, said that his movement would not hesitate to kidnap soldiers of the occupation in order to exchange them for [Palestinian] prisoners, should the opportunity arise." [Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, March 7, 2006] Saed Siam, PA Interior Minister (now charged with locating the hostage) "In the past Hamas succeeded in kidnapping many Zionist soldiers. There are thousands of prisoners of our forces, they have to think how to free these prisoners. And I believe that it is inevitable to kidnap soldiers to exchange for them. In the past Hamas kidnapped 10 soldiers. There is nothing the resistance cannot do. And when there is a goal and a good plan, the goal can be achieved, especially about the prisoner issue, [which] is top priority. During the PA administration, Hamas succeeded in kidnapping and hiding bodies, but unfortunately, two bodies were handed over for nothing. When there is a kidnapping, and it is secured, each case in its own time, has its own negotiations." [Undated video clip from Abu Dhabi TV - before Hamas came into power] Click here to view Minister Siam explaining policy of Kidnapping Fathi Hamad, Member Palestinian Legislative Council, Hamas "The Islamic resistance movement "Hamas" yesterday threatened to carry out kidnapping operations of soldiers in the Israeli army, in order to release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The threat was announced by Hamas Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Fathi Hamad." [Al-Ayyam, March 16, 2006] Sheik Halid Al-Batash, Islamic Jihad "[Palestinian Authority] Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah emphasized the importance of forming a mechanism for the release of our heroic prisoners who are held in the jails of the occupation, without making concessions... Prominent Islamic Jihad movement leader, Sheik Halid Al-Batash... called for seeking different mechanisms for the release of our heroic prisoners. He emphasized that among the mechanisms is the kidnapping of Zionists to exchange for the release of the [Palestinian] prisoners." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah, April, 17 2006] Sheik Halid Al-Batash, Islamic Jihad "The Islamic Jihad [Movement] says: kidnapping of Israeli soldiers - the fastest way for the release of the prisoners. Islamic Jihad movement senior official [Halid Al-Batash] called on the factions of the resistance to kidnap Israeli soldiers in order to exchange them for Palestinian prisoners, who Israel holds and refuses to release." [Al-Ayyam, May 9, 2006]