Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh: The Blood Shed by Gazans Has Led to an Intifada in Arab World, Europe, the West

Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh delivered a Friday sermon in the Great Omari Mosque of Gaza and said that the blood shed by the Palestinian victims in the recent clashes with Israel had led to the unification of the nation behind the Palestinian cause and created a "tremendous Intifada," which is sweeping the Arab world, Europe, and the West. Haniyeh referred to this as "one of the harbingers of victory" and vowed to continue the marches until the "siege" is completely lifted off Gaza. The sermon aired on Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV on May 18.

Following is a transcript:

Ismail Haniyeh: One of the things achieved by the pure blood [that was shed] is that the nation stands today behind the Palestinian cause, as do the free people of the world. We see a tremendous Intifada sweeping the Arab and Islamic capitals, as well as the capitals of Europe and the West. It is sweeping the officials and the public, as well as the human rights organizations and NGO’s everywhere.

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Brothers, this is one of the harbingers of victory, Allah willing, and the beginning of the disgracing of the sons of Israel.

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This march will end only when the siege is completely lifted off Gaza. We will not trust promises and delegations anymore. We will not rely on partial solutions anymore. Either the siege is completely lifted off Gaza, or the march will continue and will evolve into other forms.

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