Hamas official Rafiq Abu Hani said in a speech that aired on March 17 on Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas/Gaza) that the goal of the Palestinians is jihad for the sake of Allah. He then drew a handgun and brandished it, saying: “We all agree that our weapons, in which lie our honor and strength, will be put down only in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.”
Addressing Mohammed Deif, the Al-Qassam Brigades, and the “heroes of the resistance” in the West Bank and Gaza, he said: “Take our livelihoods from us and buy more [guns]! Take our salaries and buy more [guns]!”
Following are excerpts:
Rafiq Abu Hani: Our goal is jihad for the sake of Allah! What is your goal?
Crowd: Jihad!
Rafiq Abu Hani: What is your goal?
Crowd: Jihad!
Rafiq Abu Hani: What is your goal?
Crowd: Jihad!
Rafiq Abu Hani: We all agree that our weapons, in which lie our honor and strength, will be put down only in the Al-Aqsa compound. Oh you despicable traitors, do you think that we would ever sell out this [gun], which we paid for with the livelihoods of our children? By Allah, we say to Mohammed Deif, to the Al-Qassam Brigades, and to the heroes of the resistance in the West Bank and in Gaza: Take our livelihoods from us and buy more of these! Take our salaries and buy more of these!