Abu Mazen Justifies the "Armed Struggle" Against Jewish Residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip

Israel Defense Forces ^ | March 3, 2003 | IDF Spokesperson's Unit

[yonif]

March 3, 2003

Abu Mazen Justifies the "Armed Struggle" Against Jewish Residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip

In an interview in the Alsharak Alawast newspaper published on March 3, 2003, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), Head of the Palestinian Authority's Executive Committee (and Arafat's second in command), justified the armed struggle against Jewish communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

According to Abu Mazen, the "Intifada" must continue and the Palestinian initiated cease-fire should "not take into account the Palestinian's right to oppose the 'settlements'."

Translation of Excerpts from Abu Mazen's Interview

"On the basis of the talks held in Cairo [between the different Palestinian factions] we agreed upon the freezing of Palestinian military operations [terrorist attacks] for one year. This, on the condition that the chief Egyptian mediators receive [Israeli] guarantees about an Israeli military cease-fire, a cessation of arrests [of Palestinian terrorists] and on the withdrawal [of the IDF] to their positions before September 28, 2000 [beginning of the current crisis]. We also want a renewal of negotiations. Regrettably, the Hamas movement did not accept [these conditions] and declared that they did not intend to put an end to its military activities [terrorist attacks]."

"We did not say, however, that we are giving up the armed struggle […] it is our right to oppose. The Intifada must continue. The Palestinian people have a right to oppose using all means at their disposal to protect their existence. I would add, that if the Israelis came and settled themselves on your land, it would be in your right to defend yourself using any means necessary…"

Note: Abu Mazen's comments clearly express the Palestinian Authority's position on the subject of a cease-fire with Israel. Abu Mazen, as well as the Palestinian Interior Minister, Hani Elhassan, justify the continuation of the armed struggle against Israeli civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. His comments also imply that Israeli residents of these regions are a "legitimate target" for the "opposition".

Original interview in the Alsharak Alawast newspaper: