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Hamas Assumes Control of Palestinian Authority

Hillel Fendel

The parliament of the Palestinian Authority approved on Tuesday the new Hamas government and its guidelines. "The Koran is our constitution, jihad is our path and dying as martyrs our biggest wish."

The new PA minister of information, Yusuf Rizka, said that the new Hamas government "is a government of shahids [holy martyrs] that will take the path of Dr. Abdel Aziz Rantisi [a ruthless terrorist leader who briefly assumed control of Hamas and was in the midst of planning a large-scale "quality" attack against Israel when he was killed in an Israeli rocket strike in April 2004]."

The new PA prime minister, Ismail Haniye of Hamas, presented the guidelines to the parliament, where it was approved by a 71-36 majority. Hamas members number 74 in the 132-member body.

After the vote, one of the PA legislators - formerly wanted by Israel - waved a Koran and called out loud, "The Koran is our constitution, Mohammed is our prophet, jihad is our path and dying as martyrs for the sake of Allah is our biggest wish." His call was answered by a standing ovation and calls of "Allahu Akbar."

The government is expected to be sworn in on Wednesday.