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Hamas Election Campaign Focuses on People's Rights, Unity, Role of Women

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 January 2006, 12:00 CST

Text of statement by the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, dated 3 January, entitled "Launch of the election campaign of the Change and Reform List" published on pro-Hamas Palestinian Information Centre website on 3 January

"I only desire your betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah." [Koranic verse]

"Launch of the election campaign of the Change and Reform List"

Praise be to God and peace and blessings be upon the Prophet and his family and companions.

We wanted to announce the start of our election campaign from the house of the leader founder, imam martyr Ahmad Yasin, to stress that we shall pursue his line and to pay homage to his pure blood and the blood of the martyrs of the movement and the Palestinian people. This also stems from the responsibility we bear and for which we sacrifice our lives, as our leader, Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, did; and to confirm that the legislative elections in which the movement is standing are only a step on the path of the strategy adopted by the movement and laid down by the imam, Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, God have mercy on him. This step is a token of loyalty to all the heroic prisoners and wounded and confirms that we shall pursue the path of resistance until the liberation of land and holy places, God willing.

The decision of Hamas to stand in the legislative elections is a new development in the course of the political action of the movement on the Palestinian level. This is natural given the growth in its responsibilities and commitments and in light of the developments, course of history, and local, Arab and international changes. This, however, will not affect its Islamic constants and its plan of resistance. In fact, this might be, God willing, a new point of entry and platform to serve the masses of our people, fight corruption and contribute towards the reform of the Palestinian political life to ensure preserving the national constants and our people's inalienable rights on our blessed land.

Hamas decided to participate in the elections after in-depth and long studies and after exercising shura [consultation] in its finest form and in a broad way that included its grassroots and cadres inside and outside [the Palestinian areas], including the prisoners in the occupation prisons. Hamas seeks to achieve the following:

- Protect the resistance programme, use the [Palestinian] Legislative Council platform to defend it and oppose anyone who tries to tamper with the rights of the Palestinian people and their gains, led by their right to resist the occupation. The blessed Al- Aqsa intifadah has created new facts on the ground, which turned the Oslo programme into a thing of the past. The various forces, including the Zionist occupation forces, have spoken about "burying Oslo". Our people now are more united and have more awareness. Hamas is advancing towards the elections at a time when a large part of the people has joined the circle of resistance.

- Hamas is advancing towards participation while appreciating the heavy responsibility and trust to rectify the march and build the Palestinian national plan on strong foundations that can resist pressures, concessions and relinquishment of the rights of our people and nation. The cause of Palestine is the holiest, most important and most serious in the Arab and Islamic worlds; its human dimension means that every person who loves justice, right and freedom sides with it. No person or faction, no matter how powerful and influential, can manage the conflict with the enemy on its own or handle the liberation plan alone. The movement will remain faithful to Jerusalem, the right of the return of refugees and the release of all our heroic prisoners in the occupation jails, who are a great jihadist title.

- The participation in the Legislative Council is a step towards putting the Palestinian house in order on sound foundations to restore its vitality and invest the energies of our people inside and outside [the Palestinian areas] in the battle of liberation, supported by its Arab, Islamic and human dimensions.

- The entry of Hamas into the Legislative Council will contribute to the follow-up of the social and economic care and services for the people. It will seek to become a protector of civil society organizations and to promote them and activate their role.

- Fighting corruption which has spread in public circles and become a major phenomenon that needs a quick and effective remedy. All our people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are harmed by corrupt practices. Fighting corruption is the duty of the movement. Stopping the waste of public funds, bolstering the principles of accountability and transparency and championing wronged people are all part of the movement's duties. This is in compliance with God's words: "I only desire your betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah." [Koranic verse] Our people have the right to lead a decent life and to preserve their rights and have equal opportunities. The movement will seek to make the Legislative Council a platform for the protection of people and their rights and to expose the corrupt, especially since many members of our people and masses inside have started to rally around the movement to carry out its role in this field. The movement has adopted a comprehensive programme to achieve progress for the Palestinian people. Taking care of people's interests, serving them and alleviating their suffering were among its most important programmes. Everybody has testified, praise be to God, that Hamas has played an active role in alleviating the suffering of the people, offering social and charitable services to them and extending donations to the needy.

- Working at the Legislative Council is part of the circle of openness and serving the cause after making sure that this is in the best interest of the people. This is because Hamas is an Islamic movement that abides by Islam as a creed and way of life. Hamas observes the rules of religion in its actions. However, its Islamic character does not mean fanaticism, isolation or offending anyone. Rather, it seeks brotherhood, tolerance and solidarity, as well as moderation. Hamas has a cultural plan which it thinks is the most capable of mobilizing the energies of the nation and pooling its resources in the liberation plan. This plan can only be open and inclusive of all those who wish to serve it. Likewise, it can only be comprehensive to encompass all aspects of life. The Christians of Palestine are partners in the one homeland. Everybody has been exposed to Zionist injustice, persecution and displacement. Consequently, everybody should be partners in defending and liberating Palestine. Hamas is aware of the national, Arab and human dimensions of the cause. It is also aware of its Islamic dimension. In its political activity and work at the Legislative Council, Hamas will seek to offer a model of national unity, and it is extending its hand to all the honest sons of Palestine to take part in the plan of liberation and construction.

- Hamas is taking part in the elections since this is a part of its role and one of its responsibilities. Hamas does not seek to monopolize the seats and does not seek to isolate and marginalize others. It seeks to achieve political partnership on the basis of cooperation in the service of the homeland and confrontation of the enemy, and achieving the supreme interests of the Palestinian people. Fraternal and fair competition governs our relationship with other Palestinian forces. Resistance and jihad govern our relationship with the Zionist enemy. Palestinian blood is the red line that must not be approached.

- The Palestinian woman must assume her real role. It is high time that society appreciated the extent of her sacrifices and jihad. She is the mother, sister, wife and daughter who produces creative people, heroes, martyrs and future generations. Hamas will seek to give women their role in the Legislative Council so they can be side by side with men in managing the conflict with the enemy. Hamas will seek to pass legislation to protect women and their rights. Hamas will resist any attempts to marginalize the role of women.

- The movement will, God willing, seek to alleviate the suffering of our people and address the phenomenon of poverty and unemployment. It will side with the deprived and pay special attention to the youth sector and their institutions and clubs because they are the pillar of any people and nation. The movement will support all individuals who seek to end the chaos of weapons, terrorization of safe people and kidnapping of foreigners as much as we can because our people deserve a safe and stable life.

Hamas is standing in the elections under the name "Change and Reform List". Its electoral number is 6 and its symbol is a green crescent.

God is Great and praise be to God.

Change and Reform List

Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas

Tuesday 3 January 2006

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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