Hamas, a Palestinian faction that has spearheaded a suicide bombing campaign against Israelis, joined international condemnation on Wednesday of a suicide attack in Riyadh that Saudi Arabia blamed on al Qaeda. "Hamas condemns the bombing attack...which led to the killing of innocent children and women and other civilians," the Islamic militant group said in a statement on a pro-Hamas web site.
As opposed to the Israeli women and children they kill.
It said the Riyadh bombing "aimed to harm the security and stability of an Arab and Muslim country that represents a fundamental part of our funding nation." Hamas has sought to distance itself from al Qaeda, saying that unlike Saudi-born Osama bin Laden’s global network it limits its attacks to Israel and the occupied territories. The statement said Hamas’ suicide attacks were "legitimate ones through which we defend our land and people" while the Riyadh bombing "contradicts religion and the principles of Hamas."
Since the statement was on their website, I couldn’t tell if their lips fell off.
Saudi Arabia has provided Palestinians with financial and diplomatic support during more than 50 years of conflict with the Jewish state, including their uprising for independence that erupted in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in September 2000. Israeli military sources say Hamas, sworn to Israel’s destruction, receives $10 million a year from Saudi sources.
That’s why Hamas is concerned, any change in the status quo might upset their income. |