By IPS Correspondents
GAZA, May 12 2003 (IPS)

The founder and spiritual leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) assured the public that his movement would not commit the fatal mistake of getting involved in any sort of fighting with other (opposing) Palestinian groups.

He deemed inter-fighting among Palestinians are religiously forbidden (or Haram), stressing that Palestinians should never fight one another.

He criticized the – roadmap" peace plan because it tries to uproot the Palestinian resistance in order to ensure Israel’s security.

About the heavy US pressures on Syria to persuade it to close down the offices of Palestinian groups and to restrict their activities, sheikh Yassin expressed hope that Damascus would not bow to pressure and reminded that the activities of these offices was merely restricted to media and press.

Resistance is a legitimate means of survival for the Palestinian people and it should be upheld and strengthened by the Palestinian people, he said.

Hamas would do its utmost to avoid any potential clash or feuding with the Palestinian Authority, he said, refusing as unnecessary the suggestions by some parties that the movement should freeze activities to regroup and re-plan for the future.

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