The new leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Sunday called President Bush the enemy of Islam and said that "God declared war" against Bush, the United States and Israel.
In a speech at Gaza's Islamic University, Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi said he was not surprised that the United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israel's assassination on Monday of Hamas spiritual leader and founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
"We knew that Bush is the enemy of God, the enemy of Islam and Muslims. America declared war against God. Sharon declared war against God and God declared war against America, Bush and Sharon," Rantisi stated. "The war of God continues against them and I can see the victory coming up from the land of Palestine by the hand of Hamas."
Other senior Hamas figures such as Ismail Haniya were also among the crowds at the university and Rantissi said that Israel could never hope to wipe out the movement. "Even if the Zionists kill all of us (in the leadership), they cannot kill the resistance and Hamas," he said.
Rantisi also called on Arab nations which have relations with the Jewish state to close down Israeli diplomatic missions. "The blood of Sheikh Yassin calls on you to close the embassies, the consulates, commercial offices, and to stop meeting killers like Sharon," he said.
"The time has come to be strong in facing America and the Zionists."
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
