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Hamas marks 20th anniversary
15/12/2007 13:35 - (SA)
Gaza City - Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally on Saturday, sending a message of strength and defiance even as it is struggling to keep Gaza afloat.
Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters gathered in a sandy lot and nearby streets, waving green Islamic flags. The crowd appeared to be equal in size, if not bigger, than the one marching in support of Hamas' rival, Fatah, in November in the same spot. That rally drew 250 000, a major challenge to Hamas.
A large turnout on Saturday was seen as critical for the increasingly embattled Hamas which seized control of Gaza by force in June. Since then, the coastal strip has been virtually cut off from the world, with Israel and Egypt sharply restricting access, and 1.5 million Gazans have been driven deeper into poverty.
"This is the real referendum on the popularity of resistance, the people converging behind Hamas," said Zayed Herzallah, a 28-year old merchant, who brought a van full of young relatives. "Hamas today, after 20 years and after thousands of martyrs, is graduating the fourth generation (of supporters)."
At the site of the rally, large pictures of Hamas leaders, both in Gaza and in exile, were draped across the speakers' podium. A black banner hanging from a nearby building read, in Arabic, English and French: "We will not recognise Israel."
Hamas military wing
In the crowd were dozens of members of the Hamas military wing, among them armed men carrying replicas of home-made Qassam rockets. Some 50 female members of military wing also marched, dressed in long robes and sporting military-style ammunition vests. Some covered their faces with veils, others with ski masks. Several took to the stage, waving green Hamas flags.
In an anniversary message to Hamas TV, the group's top leader in exile, Khaled Mashaal, said Hamas will not abandon violence. "This is our real choice, our trump card, which causes the enemy to succumb to us," he said.
He said moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who controls the West Bank, does not have the mandate to negotiate with Israel. "Our people are able to launch a third and fourth uprising until the dawn of victory arrives," he warned.
After the Abbas takeover, Abbas had set up a moderate government in the West Bank, winning strong international support and opening the way to the resumption of peace talks with Israel last week.
On Monday, donor countries are gathering in Paris for a pledging conference, and are asked to give $5.6bn to Abbas' government over three years. The United States said on Friday it will pledge about $500bn.
- AP
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