Zahar: Koran forbids recognizing Israel

Top Hamas official: Fatah building new army in effort to eliminate rival party.

zahar 298.88 (photo credit: Associated Press)
zahar 298.88
(photo credit: Associated Press)
Former PA foreign minister Mahmoud A-Zahar of Hamas said Friday that recognizing Israel contradicts the Koran, Israel Radio reported. In an interview with a Hamas-affiliated Web site, A-Zahar said that Hamas had not given up on the principle that all of Palestine is Muslim land. According to the report, A-Zahar also claimed that Fatah was building a new army and training operatives in various Arab countries in a renewed effort to eliminate Hamas.
  • Hamas aims to control W. Bank security Hamas and Fatah have been attempting to maintain a shaky truce since they signed a peace treaty in Mecca in February, following weeks of brutal infighting Gaza and the West Bank. However, violence has continued sporadically since the accord was signed, and political tensions remain between the two parties as they try to form a unity government.