Hamas urges Israel's Beduins not to serve in IDF

Jerusalem Post ^ | Dec. 17, 2004 | KHALED ABU TOAMEH

[yonif]

In the first appeal of its kind, Hamas on Thursday called on Israeli Beduins to prevent their sons from serving in the IDF.

The call followed last Sunday's attack on an IDF outpost near Rafah, in which five Beduin soldiers were killed and six others injured.

"We were very shocked to learn that a number of Beduin soldiers are serving in the Zionist occupation army, especially at the border area between the Gaza Strip and Egypt," Hamas said in a message to the heads of the Beduin community.

"Similarly, we were shocked that these soldiers are carrying out the orders of their commanders to kill innocent children and women and destroy houses."

In its message, Hamas condemned as "disgraceful" the fact that young Beduin men have enrolled in the IDF, "this defaming the reputation of all Beduins."

Addressing the chiefs of Beduin clans, Hamas added: "We don't hold you responsible for al the crimes perpetrated by the Zionist occupation army, but we do say to you that you can prevent your sons from enlisting in this murderous army, which knows nothing but the language of death and destruction. It's not an honor for you to join an army that is renowned for its racism and crimes."

In another development, a senior Hamas official said he did not rule out the possibility that his movement would start targeting Israelis abroad.

The movement's No 2, Musa Abu Marzouk, who is based in Damascus, said Israel's increased attacks against Hamas activists and leaders have prompted many in the Islamic movement to call for targeting Israelis outside around the world.

"Hamas was originally established as a resistance movement against the Israeli occupation inside Palestine," Abu Marzouk said in an interview by phone with Al-Jazeera.

"But now that Israel has expanded its war against Hamas to include neighboring countries, there are many voices calling for attacking Israeli targets abroad."

He accused Israel of standing behind an attempt to assassinate a top Hamas official earlier this week and the killing of the movement's Izzaddin Sheikh Khalil in Damascus two months ago.

"Sharon has become accustomed to carrying out such operations following each attack by Hamas," he said. "His goal is to send a message to the Hamas leadership abroad and to the Syrian government as well."

[yonif]

Ping.

[SunkenCiv]

Perfect time for Labor to force early elections. Sharon could use a Likud majority.