Hamas Official Yusuf Comments on Attack; Denies Factions Within Hamas
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Text of interview with leading Hamas figure in the West Bank Shaykh Hasan Yusuf, by Usamah al-Isah in Ramallah, date not given, headlined "Shaykh Hasan Yusuf: There are no moderates and radicals in Hamas; I did not accuse Israel of the attempt on my life; our coordination with the PNA has not stopped and the issue of disarmament is not raised", published by Palestinian newspaper Al- Hayat al-Jadidah on 20 August, 2005.

Shaykh Hasan Yusuf, a leading Hamas figure in the West Bank, has denied accusing Israel of trying to assassinate him in Ramallah two days ago when unidentified gunmen opened fire on his car. He was not in his car when the incident took place.

Speaking to our correspondent, Yusuf refused to name the side behind the shooting. Responding to a question on the context in which he perceives the firing on his car, Yusuf said: "The side which carried out this act seeks to confuse and wreak havoc in the Palestinian street. The dream of these people to see me disappear under the ground will not be fulfilled. God willing, I will remain with our people and the good ones among them so that we will together work for the welfare of the people and achieve their aims."

[Al-Isah] Which side is this? Do you mean Israel? You were quoted as accusing it of being behind the shooting.

[Yusuf] All possibilities are open on the side which carried out the attack. By the way, I did not accuse Israel or any other side. I am speaking about the aim of the attempt in general regardless of the identity of the side behind it, be it the occupation or the collaborators. What is important for me is that a certain side carried out this act. It is too early to point a finger of accusation at a certain side.

[Al-Isah] Could a Palestinian side be behind the attempt?

[Yusuf] All I can say is that this incident was carried out by one or more sides which do not wish our people well.

[Al-Isah] Has the PNA [Palestinian National Authority] started an investigation into the incident?

[Yusuf] All PNA services took action. Policemen are still around my house and they are following up this issue. God willing, investigations will lead to tangible results.

[Al-Isah] Do you think this issue will be closed as happened when similar incidents took place in Ramallah and other Palestinian cities?

[Yusuf] We hope this will not be the case. What use will it be if we close the file of every case and stop looking for the culprits and those who dare to sow sedition and chaos? Things must be followed up closely in order to reach definite conclusions.

[Al-Isah] Will Hamas conduct its own investigation into the incident?

[Yusuf] Yes, certainly.

[Al-Isah] Will you take security measures after this incident and change the pattern of your appearance and movement?

[Yusuf] Certainly, more precautions must be taken although we have been doing so. These precautions might now be redoubled. Our blood, however, will not be dearer than the blood of other martyrs.

[Al-Isah] Do you think there is a connection between you being targeted and the unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip?

[Yusuf] All possibilities and options are there but it is difficult for one to outweigh the other. It is possible that the aim, as I have said, is to cause internal turmoil. I do not view the issue as personal.

[Al-Isah] With regard to withdrawal from Gaza, some say you and the other factions are exaggerating the importance of what is happening. What do you think of this?

[Yusuf] We must not exaggerate what is happening in the Gaza Strip. True, there is a departure of the occupation forces and there is a retreat of the Zionist scheme and Zionist dream in general because relinquishing settlements in this number and size clearly means there is a retreat in the Zionist scheme. But we must not give things more importance than they deserve. The Israeli occupation may maintain in the Gaza Strip something similar to the Shab'a Farms [territory in border area between Lebanon, Syria and Israel] in order to preoccupy the Palestinian side, particularly the PNA, with long-term negotiations away from the central and strategic goals.

We consider withdrawal from the Gaza settlements a first step. Other battles are waiting for us. There are several issues like those of refugees, an independent and sovereign state, Jerusalem, settlements, prisoners and the suffering of our people. All these require pooling the efforts of all and strengthening our domestic front.

[Al-Isah] Hamas and the other factions celebrated the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Festivals and rallies were held on the occasion, but Hamas did not do the same in the West Bank. Why?

[Yusuf] First of all, withdrawal from the Gaza Strip began and will continue for about a month. I have learnt that celebrations will also be held in the West Bank, but we do not want these celebrations to give an exaggerated picture of what is happening. It is true that the occupation forces will pull out of a dear part of our land, which is the Gaza Strip, but the rest of our land is still occupied.

[Al-Isah] Do you think fears of a confrontation between you and the PNA after withdrawal from the Gaza Strip are justified? Will there be clashes?

[Yusuf] I do not think this will happen. Our people and all their forces enjoy wisdom. I think the implementation of the Cairo understandings will help calm things down. These understandings have actually clarified many of the things on which we all can reach agreement. This will protect our domestic front. All now insist on the implementation of the Cairo understandings.

[Al-Isah] But there are controversial issues like disarming the resistance. It is known that there is a conflict in the positions of Hamas and the PNA on the issue of weapons.

[Yusuf] The attack a settler from the settlement of Shilo carried out two days ago [in which four Palestinians were shot dead] and other daily attacks should convince those calling for disarming the resistance to reconsider their position. What is happening is very serious. How can someone ask me to disarm while the danger is clear and definite? Even the occupation says some of its soldiers have broken loose and are moving around. This means the occupation is paving the way for new crimes and massacres. How can I be asked to disarm at a time when the Palestinian people are targeted?

[Al-Isah] But this might not apply to the Gaza Strip after withdrawal.

[Yusuf] How many times did the Israeli occupation troops storm the Gaza Strip when it was under national sovereignty? They did so dozens, even hundreds of times. In 1956 and other times, the occupiers repeatedly attacked the Gaza Strip. Therefore, we have much to do. We, however, can discuss this issue seriously and reach agreement in a manner that preserves the security of the Palestinian citizens.

[Al-Isah] How will Hamas respond if the PNA decides to disarm it by force?

[Yusuf] I do not think things will go that far. I have heard the statements made by several brothers, specifically brother Abu-Mazin [Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas] and PNA officials. All stressed that they would not disarm by force. There is no talk about disarmament. I do not think threatening the use of force can be feasible. We can reach an understanding on everything as long as this is in the interest of our Palestinian people.

[Al-Isah] There are some who always compare your statements, which look moderate, with the statements of other Hamas leaders. Are there differences between Hamas in the Palestinian territories and Hamas abroad, or Hamas in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza?

[Yusuf] I speak in general terms. We in Hamas do not have moderates or radicals. The statements of some may sometimes look strict and some issues might sometimes be expressed differently, but there is agreement on the general policy. I followed the statements recently made by Hamas spokesmen on withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. These included the news conference brother Khalid Mish'al, head of Hamas's Political Bureau, held in Beirut, and the news conference Dr Al-Zahhar held in Gaza, as well as the statements other brothers made on satellite channels. All expressed the same ideas which are in harmony with our aims. These aims are protecting our domestic front and strengthening the unity of our people. The statements made by all brothers move in this direction.

[Al-Isah] Is coordination between you and the PNA still taking place? Is it strong or weak?

[Yusuf] Contacts between us and the brothers in the PNA have not stopped under any circumstances whatsoever. We are in constant contact. There is no alternative to dialogue. More meetings, dialogue and understandings are needed. Relations must be further bolstered not only between Hamas and the PNA but among all Palestinians. The efforts of all must be pooled because the Palestinian question and Palestinian concerns are larger than us all. Therefore, all efforts must be pooled and coordinated in the interest of our people.

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East