27 January 2006: They've told us who they are. Why won't we listen?

by Laura Mansfield

“Canada's PM-Elect Harper Urges Hamas To Abandon Terrorism.” “Russian Analyst Says Hamas To Adopt Moderation After Palestinian Election Win.” "Portugal Urges Hamas To Reject Violence After Election Win"

Those are some of the world headlines about the HAMAS victory in Wednesday’s Palestinian elections.

No one seems to quite get it.

HAMAS cannot renounce violence. Violence against the state of Israel is one of the core beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement, and is as deeply embedded in its charter as is its Islamic identity.

In fact, the HAMAS charter explicitly prohibits this renunciation that the international community is claiming will happen:

Leaving the circle of conflict with Israel is a major act of treason and it will bring curse on its perpetrators. “Who so on that day turns his back to them, unless maneuvering for battle or intent to join a company, he truly has incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey’s end.” Sura 8 (al-Anfal—Spoils of War), verse 16

The charter itself prohibits participation in the peace process, in article 13:

[Peace] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement.

In asking HAMAS to renounce violence and join in the peace process, the world community is ignoring the reality. HAMAS has told us in no uncertain terms who they are and what they stand for.

Why won’t we listen to them?