Hamas Advert rejected by the Sunday Times

The following is the text of a full page advert rejected by the Sunday Times by this week for publication. It was issued by the South African Friends of Israel.

ACCORDING TO HAMAS, JIHAD IS THE ONLY WAY TO ACHIEVE ‘PEACE’

AND IT GETS WORSE

Unlike South Africans, who achieved peaceful resolutions to conflict through dialogue, negotiation, truth and reconciliation, the Political Head of Hamas, Khaled Mashal, emphatically insists:

“Jihad and armed resistance are the true and correct way… There will be no concession on an inch of the land”

The Hamas Charter openly and brazenly rejects peace initiatives and claims that Jihad is the only solution.

“Peace initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement… There is no solution for the Palestinian problem, except by Jihad” – Hamas Charter

And it gets worse

In direct opposition to the South African Bill of Rights, Hamas has openly declared homosexuality a crime punishable by death.

Freedom of religion is treated with equal contempt.

In Gaza, Hamas stands accused of forcing Christians to convert to Islam, digging up Christian cemeteries and warning Christians to ‘cooperate’ under threats of violence – including the threat of rape to the wives and daughters of Christian men.

Hamas forces abduct, torture, attack and summarily execute those who oppose them.

And it gets worse

Virtually every country in the world, including most Arab states, deny entry to Khaled Mashal.

Hamas is unwelcome is Amman, Cairo, and Riyadh. All have closed their doors to Hamas leadership.

The European Union, USA, Canada, Australia and many democracies keep Hamas on their terrorism blacklist.

And yet, Hamas is warmly welcomed in South Africa.

Why? It defies logic.

Given their intractable position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and their fundamentalist interpretation of Jihad as holy war, what good can it bring?

WE urge the ANC to act as a credible mediator for peace in the Middle East and not to embrace a violent Jihadist organisation, by welcoming them into our midst.

A Hamas-style, Boko Haram, Al Shabaab ideology is the last thing South Africa needs.

Do you know who Hamas really is?

Find out more at www.realfacts.co.za

Issued by South African Friends of Israel, 2 November 2015