Arafat's adviser says Hamas not to take over Gaza Strip as rabbis warn Sharon of settlements evacuation

Published February 17th, 2004 - 03:00 GMT

Yasser Arafat's security adviser, Jibril Rajub, on Tuesday vowed not to let Hamas take over the Gaza Strip should Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stand behind his words to evacuate settlements there.

"We'll fight them (Hamas) and we won't let them take over the Gaza Strip," Rajub Israeli military reporters.

Meanwhile, rabbis identified with Jewish settlers on Tuesday denounced Sharon's plan to remove some settlements, and one compared the plan to the infamous 1938 Munich "appeasement" agreement between Britain and Nazi Germany.

At a meeting in Jerusalem on Tuesday, rabbis called on parties in Sharon's coalition that identify with them to quit if the Cabinet approves the evacuation plan or if Sharon presents it to the world without Cabinet approval.

Addressing the gathering, Rabbi David Hacohen compared the plan to the 1938 Munich accord.

"The sin and crime of dismantling and destroying Jewish communities...is a crime against the Jewish people of all generations, and it cannot be excused or forgiven," Hacohen said. "It is very dangerous and imperils the nation no less than the Munich agreement that was made with the Nazis, may their name be blotted out." (Albawaba.com)