Hamas plans ahead
Amid rising tensions between the newly formed Palestinian
Hamas government and Israel, Erica Silverman in Ramallah
interviews Hamas member and Parliament Speaker Abdul-Aziz Duwaik
Click to view
caption |
Palestinian Parliament Speaker Duwaik prays
before a Palestinian Legislative Council session in the West Bank
city of Ramallah
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What is Hamas's short-term and long-term strategy for achieving
Palestinian statehood?
The main strategy of Hamas is to succeed in fulfilling its
obligations and its platform. Hamas is a real, moderate Islamic movement
with a comprehensive platform in terms of the socio-economic aspects of
Palestinian life. It also realises that it is still in the stage of
resisting the occupation; resistance by all means, not just military.
Its success is good for the Palestinians and for security, stability and
peace in the region. The failure of this movement will invite, by all
means, radicalism into this area that will usher in a new round of
violence.
This is one aspect of Hamas: a combination of resistance by varied
means, including arms if necessary. Since March of last year Hamas
declared a truce, or a ceasefire, with Israel, with the Palestinian
Authority (PA), and under the supervision of Mahmoud Abbas, our
president. Until now the ceasefire is holding and since the elections
were held on 25 January there has been absolutely no fighting. Yes,
other Palestinian factions have conducted operations; most of them were
in reaction to Israeli atrocities and the assassination of their
leaders, the destruction of homes, and land confiscation.
So far, I believe Hamas has been working hard to fulfil the needs of
the people.
Is there a phased plan of action for statehood, and how will you
prepare the PA institutions?
Hamas has been given a four-year mandate by the Palestinian people. I
think putting the Palestinians on the right terrain will be a process
that will encompass these four years. We hope the people will be
convinced that this movement is fulfilling its obligations and working
for the betterment of Palestinians.
How will a Hamas-led government restore law and order to the Gaza
Strip and the West Bank? What steps will be taken within the Palestinian
Legislative Council (PLC) to resolve the security crisis? Last week
Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh stated that security forces would try to
"pull our civilian gunmen off the streets". Which armed civilians will
be disarmed and how will their weapons be collected?
Ismail Haniyeh meant the following: any kinds of weapons used for
resistance against the enemies of our nation are acceptable, but weapons
that are being used against our institutions and our citizens are
harmful to our society and our security. These arms, displayed on
television, are harmful to the reputation of our people. When he spoke
of arms he meant these weapons, which threaten the well being of our
people.
Those who publicly display their weapons are harming the interests of
our people and fuelling insecurity; this phenomenon must come to an
end.
How would the determination be made regarding smaller factions,
for example offshoots of Fatah and the Abu Reish Brigades, whether their
weapons are being used against an occupying power or that instigate
internal violence?
Frankly, disarmament should occur in a gradual manner. Haniyeh has
just taken office. The public show of weapons is made by some of the
warlords to tell the government "we are here and we have weapons." There
are internal feuds within factions, and members would like to show they
are armed and they can fight. I believe order will gradually be restored
when national security assumes a role. Within a few weeks, everything
will be resolved. We have a goal. We must convince the armed militants
that what they are doing is harmful to their interests and the interests
of the people.
Before this it will be necessary to achieve some economic progress.
The ministers of economy and finance must meet the needs of the people.
When the people are satisfied they will realise that justice is coming
and that the old methods, of double standards within the PA, have come
to an end.
Our people are well educated; they just need examples in the
leadership; they need orientation and direction.
How will Hamas implement Islamic (Sharia) Law?
We began by implementing Sharia law in our own way, and we
will continue. Eighty per cent of women have a cover on their heads
according to the principles of Islam. We did not force anyone, we just
preach according to the principles of Islam and the people accept it.
Concerning alcoholism, it is forbidden in Islam, and even the West says
it is wrong to be addicted to alcohol. Experience in Germany, the United
States and Switzerland proves that what Islam taught us 1,400 years ago
is still valid.
The majority of Palestinians do not consume alcohol. We will
preach and give examples from a scientific point of view, and by doing
so there will be diminishing demand. Even those who sell alcoholic
beverages; I think they will find it is not good to continue with their
business. But, it will be in a peaceful way that will increase
the ethics of the people and their adherence to core principles, in a
democratic manner.
We are not going to cut off the hands of thieves, even though
they deserve it. We are not going to force any woman to cover her hair;
women are doing this by their own choice. What is not known in the US is
the appeal of Islamic principles, because it is intrinsic in the hearts
of the people. A human being is born with these principles -- we oppose
thieves and alcoholism by nature. Islam is the religion of the true and
ideal human being. Islam prohibits adultery because fidelity is good for
the woman and it is good for the man -- for his health, for her health,
for their offspring.
The religion of purity; this is Islam and how we see it. In terms of
moderate Islam, even the holy Quran called upon us to become moderate in
our lives; whenever you push someone to act against his will, it brings
injustice into his life.
When you use the term "moderate Islam", is there a particular
model or school of thought that you are following?
I consider Hamas at the middle, if you have a circle. At the middle
of Islam is Hamas; it is a real, moderate movement. Why? It is a
comprehensive way of life and it does not go to any extreme, whether to
the right or to the left. I believe this and I reject extremism, but we
will not leave behind the principles of Islam in order to please others.
We will apply Islam by setting an example; by preaching, by showing the
greatness of the principles of this religion. This is what we do for
Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
This is the beauty of Islam; this is how we understand Islam -- no
alcoholism, no adultery, etc. Even the West is suffering from so many
afflictions stemming from alcoholism, gambling, usury, and so on -- all
have been forbidden by Islam for 1,400 years.
God is unique and He is just. I am very much an optimist.
Will actual legislation be implemented that is in accord with
Sharia law? If so, how will the interpretation of the laws be
determined? Will Waqf (PA-appointed Islamic religious
authority) be involved or other religious leaders local or abroad?
We will implement Islamic law by democratic means; if the majority of
people will accept we will go ahead, if they will say "no", we say
no.
Would these decisions be made by referendum?
Yes, it might be through a referendum. If we wish to develop our
community in terms of sustainable development, we have to implement the
rules of democracy. There should be -- and must be -- grassroots
participation all the time. People must go to the polls for every
election so that we can understand what the people want.
What are the drawbacks in refusing to negotiate with Israel, and
in turn, what are the benefits?
Negotiating with Israel since the Madrid Conference has undermined
our position. For our people, a parallel has been drawn between
concessions and negotiations. So far, Israel has not given the
Palestinian people anything.
The Israelis can come here and imprison the speaker of the
Palestinian parliament. They can bombard this building and no one will
stop them. The Israelis have not shown the Palestinians anything in the
way of a sincere intention to negotiate.
If you look at the map since the Madrid Conference -- 14 years ago
until now -- Israeli policies have been unilateral; gaining time,
confiscating land, and enhancing Israeli settlements while building the
separation wall and implementing the "Judaisation" of Jerusalem. Israel
has imposed de facto borders on the ground. So whenever we come to
negotiations with Israel we have nothing to negotiate with them
over.
Yitzahk Rabin once said, "we are the citizens and the Palestinians
are our guests." In 1922, Zeev Rabotinsky, after the Balfour
Declaration, said the land is for a Jewish state and the state will have
control over Palestinian civil affairs.
I am calling for Israel to take any steps to show the Palestinians
that Israel intends to respect Palestinian national rights and to
respect international law, and to put an end to its ugly occupation.
I define the Palestinians as freedom-seekers, and we know that we
must be free of the slavery of occupation. We continue to call upon our
Arab and Muslim brothers, and upon those in the free world who are
friends, to free our people from occupation. The slavery of occupation
is the worst kind of slavery in this world.
Is there a way to recognise Israel and recognise its right to
exist, while asserting that Israel has not abided by previous
agreements?
Which Israel do you want us to recognise? I am ready. Which Israel,
just tell me, with what borders? Why don't you ask Israel to recognise
us? We are the victims. We are the people whose land has been taken by
force and Israel did not even bother to implement any international
agreements, not even the ruling of the International Court of Justice
[declaring the "separation barrier" illegal] determined two years ago.
Israel did not even bother to read it, let alone implement it.
Who is supposed to recognise the other? I think Israel is supposed to
recognise us.
How will Hamas manage the PA budget after the United States and
Europe have decided to withhold aid funds?
The West in general -- the US and the EU in particular -- wanted to
promote democracy in this region and we accepted. To their amazement the
Islamic movement within Palestine accepted the rules of the game and we
entered the elections. Our people, who are the most educated in this
area of the world, chose their representatives. To the astonishment of
the world, the EU and the US did not accept the final results of
democracy. They wanted democracy, but a designed democracy, not free
elections.
Our people read the political map, saw the practices of the PA, of
Hamas, and cast their votes. We have not heard a word of
congratulations. Those who promoted democracy promoted hypocrisy; they
turned a blind eye to transparent elections. By punishing the people for
their democratic choice, I think the West is increasing the hatred of
Western values.
Despite this, I am laying the groundwork for enhanced democracy
because it is a practice that will bring betterment to the life of our
people.
Why has the Bush administration decided to cut links with a
Hamas-led government?
Bush is causing the United States a great deal of harm; first of all,
to its reputation all over the world. Frankly, in my opinion, Bush is
the worst president the US has ever had.
Republicans will lose in the coming elections because of the
behaviour of Bush. I am not the one to judge his behaviour; I will leave
it to the American people who I know will not accept it.
Instead of sending congratulations to the Palestinians, saying, "we
are ready to cooperate with the representatives of the Palestinians," he
is trying to punish the Palestinians. Why is that? If he really believes
in democracy he should have a dialogue with us.
I am ready to explain our position to him in frank terms and to
Congress. Violence is a term that is not in, and would never enter, our
dictionary. Why? Because we are the victims of violence. He would say
"recognise Israel," and I would say, "why doesn't Israel recognise us?
We recognised Israel for the last 15 years and what has Israel given
us?"
The results of the 25 January elections showed the world that we are
not convinced with this so- called "peace process". We would like to
change the rules of the game so that our national rights are recognised,
our well-being is recognised, and our basic human rights recognised.
Israel -- since its establishment until now -- has turned its back on
international law. Why are you demanding that we have to recognise
international law and you did not ask Israel to fulfil the requirements
of hundreds of UN resolutions? Israel even turned its back on the Geneva
Conventions.
We want the world to understand our suffering and to reflect upon our
suffering. We consider occupation as slavery. I am calling upon the free
world for help to put an end to this slavery.
Have you articulated your position in Washington?
They did not give us the chance. I am the speaker of the parliament
and people -- not only in Palestine but also all over the Middle East --
listen to me. We understand the rules of the game, we know where we are
and we are reasonable and civilised. So many Israelis have said for so
many years, "they are going to throw us into the sea." What sea? We do
not even have access to the sea. We do not even have the ability to
import medical supplies. We do not even have access to the Grand Mosque
in Jerusalem. What are they talking about?
We respect human life; at the same time we would like to see others
respect our basic human rights, not only our lives. This is the whole
issue.