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In Gaza, 150,000 Cheer Hamas

PM calls for uprisings against Israeli occupation

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2007 1:01 PM CST

(Newser) – Crowds filled Gaza City streets today, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hamas in what BBC analysts are calling a critical test of public support. At least 150,000 rallied amid waving flags and banners as Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya preached “resistance and jihad,” blasting his moderate Fatah counterpart for assuming a mandate to negotiate with Israel.

Haniya reminded the crowd of its power to revolt against Israel and stage an uprising reminiscent of the 1987 and 2000 intifadas. Near a banner proclaiming “We Will Not Recognize Israel,” Haniya vowed to negotiate “on the basis of no victor, no vanquished and without conditions.” Hamas hoped to outdraw a Fatah memorial last month to Yasser Arafat, which attracted a quarter million supporters.

Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, waves a Palestinian and a green Hamas flag in front of Hamas supporters during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message...
Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, waves a Palestinian and a green Hamas flag in front of Hamas supporters during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007....   (Associated Press)
A Hamas security officer gestures, as thousands of Hamas supporters gather below, during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength and defiance even as it is struggling to keep Gaza...
A Hamas security officer gestures, as thousands of Hamas supporters gather below, during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally...   (Associated Press)
Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, fourth from left in foreground, waves a Palestinian flag in front of Hamas supporters during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a...
Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, fourth from left in foreground, waves a Palestinian flag in front of Hamas supporters during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday,...   (Associated Press)
Hamas security officers stand guard as thousands of Hamas supporters gather during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength and defiance even as it is struggling to keep Gaza afloat....
Hamas security officers stand guard as thousands of Hamas supporters gather during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday,...   (Associated Press)
Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, gestures next to a poster of the late Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin, during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of...
Palestinian Prime Minister of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, gestures next to a poster of the late Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin, during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas...   (Associated Press)
Thousands of Hamas supporters gather during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength and defiance even as it is struggling to keep Gaza afloat.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Thousands of Hamas supporters gather during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength and...   (Associated Press)
Palestinian Hamas suporters burn Israeli flags during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength and defiance even as it is struggling to keep Gaza afloat. (AP Photo/Majed Hamdan)
Palestinian Hamas suporters burn Israeli flags during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of...   (Associated Press)
A Palestinian boy with a mock weapon is held by Hamas suporters as they attend a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength and defiance even as it is struggling to...
A Palestinian boy with a mock weapon is held by Hamas suporters as they attend a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday,...   (Associated Press)
Palestinian women Hamas supporters gesture during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength and defiance even as it is struggling to keep Gaza afloat. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Palestinian women Hamas supporters gesture during a rally in Gaza city, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. Hamas marked the 20th anniversary of its founding with a huge rally Saturday, sending a message of strength...   (Associated Press)
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