The ADC has cautioned the international community and the Australian government against seeing the unveiling by Hamas of a new charter as a sign that the terrorist organisation is now moderating its hatred against the Jewish people and its long-stated desire to destroy Israel. And although Hamas now claims that it is ready to accept a Palestinian state along pre-1967 borders, a close reading of the document makes it clear that Hamas still refuses to recognise Israel, is still committed to the path of terrorism, and is still unwilling to make the necessary compromises for peace.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the ADC, issued the following statement:
“There is no question that the despite the reported changes to the 1988 original charter, the underlying anti-Semitism and rejectionism that has long characterised Hamas has remained intact. Hamas is still an organisation ablaze with deep hatred for the Jewish people, and is still an extremist movement determined to pursue the path of terrorism against Israel. At heart, Hama stills seeks to destroy Israel, as evidenced by the following paragraph in the new charter, “Hamas believes that no part of the land of Palestine should be compromised or conceded, irrespective of the causes, the circumstances and the pressures and no matter how long the occupation lasts. Hamas rejects any alternative to the full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea.” A close reading of the new document unearths a complete rejection of Israel’s right to exist and ample justification by Hamas to persist in its violent actions against the Jewish state in order to realise the objective of the “liberation of Palestine”. As such, the international community must not be deceived by this chicanery, and must demand that Hamas first give us its stated goal of obliterating Israel, renounce terrorism, and do away with its deep-seated hatred of the Jewish people, before any consideration is made to ending its isolation. Above all, it will be Hamas’s deeds, not mere words, that should determine the global response.”
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting racism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on 9272 5677.