Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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December 15, 2007

Tens of Thousands of Palestinians Rally for Hamas in Gaza
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1A977B6:A6F02AD83191E1604318DF8523AFCD3870AD7039DCD7B7E4& Hamas Prime
Minister Ismail Haniyeh tells crowd that group will never renounce
violence or recognize Israel The Islamic militant group Hamas in the
Gaza Strip has put on a show of strength. As Robert Berger reports
from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, Hamas is sending a tough message of
opposition to Israeli-Palestinian peace talks which resumed this week
after a seven-year break.

Chanting "Allah is great," tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered
in Gaza City to mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the
Islamic militant group Hamas.

It was a defiant show of support, even though Gaza has plunged further
into poverty under Hamas rule and there are shortages of food, raw
materials and fuel. Hamas has been crippled by Israeli and
international sanctions since it violently seized control of Gaza six
months ago.





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Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh next to poster of late Hamas
leader Ahmed Yassin, during rally in Gaza city, 15 Dec 2007Hamas Prime
Minister Ismail Haniyeh told the crowd that the group will never
renounce violence or recognize Israel.

Mr. Haniyeh said jihad, or holy war, is the shortest way to liberate
Palestine and Jerusalem. He also condemned the Annapolis peace
conference in the United States, where western-backed Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to resume peace talks with Israel.

Hamas routed the Fatah forces of Mr. Abbas from Gaza in June, and now
he heads a more moderate government in the West Bank.

Mr. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have agreed to try
and reach a final peace treaty by the end of next year, but Hamas
poses a major obstacle. At Annapolis, Mr. Olmert said Israel would not
agree to a Palestinian state unless it includes Gaza under the control
of Palestinian moderates.

By bringing a huge crowd into the streets, Hamas has shown it is a
force to reckon with and that it intends to remain in power.


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