Special Information Bulletin
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Center for Special Studies (C.S.S) November 29, 2004

Document seized (November 2002) in the Palestinian Authority Preventive
Security compound in Gaza: A transcript of a secret meeting held by Alistair
Crooke, then a senior EU representative, with a Hamas delegation headed by
(the late) Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and a meeting he held with members of the
Fatah Tanzim, mediated by Preventive Security seniors (June 2002)

Abstract

-A spokeswoman on behalf of EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana issued a
statement (November 25, 2004) denying Solana or his office staff had met or
held "direct contacts" with Hamas or other terrorist organizations on the EU
list of banned terrorist organizations. Yet, in an interview given to the
BBC soon afterwards (November 25, 2004), Solana mentioned that he had "had
direct contact with Hamas, but not in the last few days."

-Keeping the above in mind, it should be noted that among the documents
seized (November 2002) by the IDF in the Palestinian Authority Preventive
Security compound in the Gaza Strip (November 2002) was a transcript of a
secret meeting held by Alistair Crooke, the security advisor of Miguel
Moratinos, then the EU special envoy for promoting the peace process in the
Middle East (who serves now as Spain's foreign minister), with a Hamas
delegation headed by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

-The seized documents, dated June 2002, describe two meetings: One was held
with members of the Fatah Tanzim, and the other with a Hamas delegation
headed by Sheikh Yassin. These two meetings were held under the mediation of
Preventive Security seniors in the Gaza Strip. Alistair Crooke especially
requested that no word of the meeting with Hamas be made public (to prevent,
as he put it, Israel and the US from taking advantage of such information)
and expressed his desire to continue the dialogue (i.e., in secret) with
Hamas.

-In the course of the meeting held with members of the Fatah Tanzim, Crooke
understood from his partners in dialogue that with no political horizon in
sight, it was impossible to talk about calming down the situation and
bringing the escalation (at the time) to a halt. He also heard their "anger"
over the European decision to include the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (Fatah's
operative terrorist wing) in the list of terrorist organizations. He
translated the viewpoints expressed in the meeting into messages, which he
then proceeded to read back to the Fatah Tanzim members and promised to
deliver them to EU seniors.

One may conclude from the transcript that the messages, as they were
understood by Crooke, were "softened up" and phrased positively, attempting,
in our understanding, to "smooth out the rough edges" and imbue the messages
with Crooke's own insights, reflecting, in his view, the interests of the
European community.

In the secret meeting with Hamas seniors, Crooke expressed his appreciation
of Hamas for its welfare programs, connecting it to people on the ground,
and for being an "important political factor". "The main problem is the
Israeli occupation", Crooke told Sheikh Yassin and his fellow Hamas seniors
who attended the meeting, and stated that it was impossible to lower the
level of violence without a political horizon. To that end, he added, it was
necessary to initiate trust-building measures and a mutual lowering of the
level of violence. Crooke assured Sheikh Yassin and the Hamas seniors that
the Europeans were unequivocally opposed to the Israeli settlement
activities. As for terrorism, Crooke added: "I hate that word. I've spent
some time in my life with freedom fighters like in Colombia." [i.e., one may
conclude that, in his view, members of Hamas are implicitly freedom fighters
rather than terrorists].

-Sheikh Yassin expressed his satisfaction over Crooke's ruling that the root
of the problem was the Israeli occupation. However, in the course of the
conversation, Sheikh Yassin and his men clarified their position with regard
to that Israeli occupation: the occupation, as Sheikh Yassin put it, extends
over the territories of 1948,not just 1967 [meaning the liberation of the
entire territory of Palestine, not just the post-1967 "occupied
territories"]. Sheikh Yassin expressed his discontent over the Europeans'
decision to include Hamas in the list of terrorist organizations, and asked
that the Europeans support him and resist the American policy. In response,
Crooke stated: "We do not consider Hamas' political wing to be a terrorist
organization". As the conversation came to an end, Sheikh Yassin brought up
before Crooke (who, according to the document, did not comment) the
conspiracy theory regarding the September 11 terrorist attacks: it was
Israel and global Zionism who were to blame for the September 11 terrorist
attacks "so that war would be declared on the Islamic world [as well as on
Hamas]."

The key issues that were raised in Crooke's meetings according to the
documents

Background information

-IDF forces seized (November 18, 2002) a transcript of two meetings held
(separately) between members of the Tanzim (Fatah's military wing) and
Hamas, and Alistair Crooke, the security advisor of Miguel Moratinos, the EU
special envoy for promoting the peace process in the Middle East. The
transcript was accompanied by cover letters written by the Preventive
Security personnel in Gaza. The entire correspondence is dated late June
2002.

-The purpose of these meetings (in Alistair Crooke's view), as specified in
the transcript, was to hear the concepts of the Fatah Tanzim and Hamas
members on the situation on the ground and act to promote opportunities for
a solution in the near future, once the state of violence and escalation
comes to an end.

-The two meetings were organized by the then deputy chief of the Preventive
Security in the Gaza Strip, Rashid Abu Shbak (with Muhammad Dahlan probably
being in the know as well), with the assistance of the head of the Foreign
Relations Department of the Preventive Security in the Gaza Strip, Muhammad
al-Najjar. According to the letters accompanying the transcript, Alistair
Crooke was interested in continuing the dialogue with Hamas through the
Preventive Security.

-Alistair Crooke specifically asked his partners in dialogue to keep the
meeting a secret, for "there are people who would take advantage of such
information, particularly Americans and Israelis". Hamas complied with his
request regarding the meeting that had already been held; however, the
movement noted it would consider its position regarding future meetings.

The meeting with the Fatah Tanzim members

-Senior members of Fatah and the Preventive Security in the Gaza Strip,
whose names are listed in the transcript, took part in the meeting with
Alistair Crooke. That meeting is described in brief (as opposed to the
extensively-detailed meeting with Hamas). The key issues discussed in the
meeting:

- The members of the Fatah Tanzim stressed that without a political horizon
that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state within the
borders of 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital, "it is going to be
impossible to talk about calming down the situation or stopping the
escalation, particularly in view of the continuing Israeli escalation [at
the time]".

- The members of the Fatah Tanzim expressed their anger over the decision
made by the Europeans to include the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (Fatah's
operative terrorist wing) in the list of terrorist organizations, along with
other Palestinian organizations that "fight for freedom" [i.e. Hamas and the
Islamic Jihad].

-Alistair Crooke conveyed to the Fatah Tanzim members a message, stating
that they must take the initiative into their own hands, seek ways out of
the current predicament, "and not expect the solution to fall down from the
sky or come from the US". He promised to deliver to European seniors the
message he heard from the Fatah Tanzim members, which, in his understanding,
included the following:

+ Europe needs to embrace a neutral, impartial stand with regard to Israel
and the US and must be a fair mediator.
+There can be no talk of calming down the situation without a political
horizon.
+Europe has to adopt an independent policy, separate from that of the US,
which would serve the European interests in the region.
+The Fatah movement is ready to fulfill its obligations should there be a
political horizon based on the realization of the Palestinians' rights.

-It should be noted that the position of the Fatah Tanzim, as emerges from
the transcript, is not completely identical to the messages of the Tanzim as
they were understood by Alistair Crooke. If the transcript is accurate,
Crooke tried, in our understanding, to "smooth out the rough edges" and
"translate" the statements he heard from the Fatah Tanzim members into
positive terms. In the process-according to the document-he probably left
out some of the statements he heard (the "anger" over the inclusion of the
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the list of terrorist organizations) and
reiterated some of his own insights (Europe must embrace a neutral,
independent position regarding Israel and the US).

The meeting with Hamas members

-The meeting with Alistair Crooke was attended by the (then) Hamas leader
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, and three additional senior Hamas figures in the Gaza
Strip. Crooke expressed his desire to hear Hamas' position, noting that:
+The Hamas movement is close to people [i.e., Palestinians] on the ground,
particularly owing to its social welfare programs.
+The Hamas movement is an important political factor.
+"We are all entering a difficult time right now. The main problem is the
Israeli occupation."

-In response, Sheikh Yassin expressed his satisfaction over Crooke's ruling
that the source of the problem was the [Israeli] occupation, and noted that
"the Israeli army conquered the land in 1948, and followed in our footsteps
in 1967. It kills civilians, the elderly, women and children and prevents us
from earning livelihood. What are we to do? Are we to raise a white flag and
surrender?" Therefore, Palestinians must rise up against the occupation and
the international community cannot ask the Palestinian people not to defend
themselves. Sheikh Yassin expressed his discontent over the inclusion of
Hamas in the EU list of terrorist organizations, and suggested that the
Europeans support him "the way you supported the [Muslim] fighters in
Afghanistan". Crooke responded that Europe sympathized with the Palestinian
people, adding, "I explained to Solana and Blair that the status of Europe
in the eyes of the Palestinians has started to decline". Sheikh Yassin
responded that the Europeans must stand against the American policy. Crooke
promised to deliver that message; however, he noted [complaining] that time
and again the Palestinians [that is, the Palestinian Authority] tend to work
with Washington [rather than with the Europeans].

-As he proceeded, Alistair Crooke reiterated that it was important to end
the occupation and noted that the Mitchell Report (2001), parts of which
were composed with his assistance, determined that it was impossible to
lower the level of violence without a political horizon. For that purpose it
was necessary to embark upon a process of negotiations and discussions
within the right framework: "That is why it is necessary to initiate
trust-building measures and a mutual lowering of the [level of] violence".
He asked the Hamas seniors whether the Palestinians would agree to accept
the terms they were offered in the Taba peace talks (2001), granted the
opportunity once again. The Hamas seniors replied that they had not seen
what has been achieved at [the] Taba [talks] and asked Crooke to send them
[the relevant information]. Crooke promised to do so through the Preventive
Security.

-The key statements made by the Hamas seniors who accompanied Sheikh Yassin:
+The Hamas movement took initiatives, among which it declared it would stop
terrorist attacks in Israel; however the Israelis continued their
aggression.
+The problem is the [Israeli] occupation: "We are talking about Palestine
that was conquered in 1948 as well as in 1967, while everyone is talking
about dismantling the [post-1967] settlements".
+Hamas seeks to unite the Palestinian people, establish a "true state" [on
the entire territory of Palestine], based upon Arab and Islamic elements,
and distance itself from the corruption that has its source in Israel and
the West.

-Alistair Crooke avoided addressing the statements made by the Hamas seniors
on the "liberation" of the territories of 1948, preferring to make
statements his partners in dialogue would find favorable. He stated that the
Europeans objected to settlements, and that their position on that issue was
not vague: "There must be a total halt of the settlement [activity]". As for
terrorism, Crooke added, "I hate that word. I've spent some time in my life
with freedom fighters like in Colombia.We in Europe were affected by the
September 11 events. and that triggers an emotional response." [That is, in
his view, members of Hamas are implicitly not terrorists but rather freedom
fighters].

-At the end of the conversation, and in response to the mention of the
September 11 events by Crooke, Sheikh Yassin explained to his partner in
dialogue his opinion on the culprit behind the September 11 events: "Time
will tell that Israel knew [in advance] what happened in America, and that
it was global Zionism that paralyzed the American security, so that war
could be declared on the Islamic world and [on] Hamas. Approximately 100-120
American Zionist agents [knew about it] and did not report it. I do not rule
out the possibility that they attempted to induce Hamas [operatives] and
other Islamic operatives [to do it]. [According to the document, Alistair
Crooke did not attempt to argue with the anti-Semitic-flavored conspiracy
theory ("global Zionism") as described by Sheikh Yassin; rather, he
commented that "we do not consider the political wing of Hamas to be a
terrorist organization."]. Furthermore, at the end of the meeting, Crooke
expressed his wish that the dialogue with Hamas would continue, preferably
through the mediation of Palestinian Authority representatives, in order
"not to cause embarrassment to any side.

Appendix A

Translation of the original documents
In the name of Allah, the compassionate and the merciful
The Palestinian National Authority
The Preventive Security
Gaza Strip
Abd [possibly a reference to the head of the Department of Foreign Relations
in the Preventive Security in the Gaza Strip]
Please keep the original document
Cc: [Department of] Foreign Relations
Cc: [Department of] Political Security
Signature
June 26, 2002
Alistair asked me to ask you to talk with our brothers in Hamas in order to
convince them to carry on with the dialogue and to do this with your
assistance, so that neither side is embarrassed.
In addition, he [Alistair Crooke] would like to know, if possible, their
impression-that is, if the brothers from Hamas or Tanzim have spoken to you.
Your instructions, please.
Your brother,
Muhammad al-Najjar
[Head of the department of Foreign Relations in the Preventive Security in
the Gaza Strip]

Appendix B
In the name of Allah, the compassionate and the merciful
The Palestinian National Authority
The Preventive Security
Gaza Strip
Date: June 23, 2002
Reference: ./403
To the Brother, the Director, [deputy chief of the Preventive Security in
the Gaza Strip, Rashid Abu Shbak], may Allah keep him
Greeting of the Homeland,
Please find attached the transcript of the meeting held by our brothers in
Fatah and Hamas with Alistair Crooke [the security advisor of Miguel
Moratinos, then EU special envoy for promoting the peace process in the
Middle East and currently Spain's foreign minister].
Alistair thanks you for organizing the two meetings.
Regarding what was presented in Taba, Alistair sent it to brother Muhammad
[possibly Muhammad Dahlan, former chief of the Preventive Security in the
Gaza Strip]. I believe it can be given to Hamas.
What is your impression from both sides, if they should address you
regarding what Alistair asked? As for the continuation of the dialogue in
the future, I believe that depends on Hamas' standpoint.
For your attention. Your instructions, please.
Respectfully,
Your brother,
Head of the Exterior Activity Department
[Suheil Jabr]
Signature and stamp

Appendix C
In the name of Allah, the compassionate and the merciful
The Palestinian National Authority
The Preventive Security
Gaza Strip
To brother Abu Hatem [Rashid Abu Shbak], chief of the Preventive Security
[in the Gaza Strip], may Allah keep him
Greetings,
Subject: The Meeting of Alistair Crooke with the brothers in the Tanzim and
Hamas
The aim of the meetings:
To hear from the brothers in the Tanzim and Hamas on the situation on the
ground and on the viewpoints of both sides.
To attempt to find opportunities and solutions in the near future, once the
stage of violence and escalation [comes to an end].
The meeting with the brothers in the Tanzim
The meeting was attended by: brother Majed Abu Shamaleh [Assistant
Preventive Security Chief in the Gaza Strip and Head of the Committee for
Prisoners and Detainees in the Fatah Supreme Council in the Gaza Strip];
brother Ahmed Nasr [head of the Fatah Organizational Department in the Gaza
Strip and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, member of the
Monitoring Committee of Tanzim activity in the Gaza Strip]; brother Abu
al-Saed [possibly Khalil al-Ra'i, president of the Al-Hussam Released
Prisoners Association]; brother Rassem al-Biari [chairman of the Association
of Palestinian Labor Unions in the Gaza Strip]; brother Tawfiq Abu Khawsa
[the deputy of Sami Abu Samhadaneh in the Special Office of Presidential
Security and chairman of the Journalists Association in Gaza]; and brother
Abd al-Hakim 'Awad [chairman of the Fatah Youth Organization].
The brothers in the Tanzim described the situation of tragedy and suffering
in which the Palestinian people currently live, which prompts a [violent]
reaction by all the layers of society, including the Fatah movement, when no
political horizon is in sight.
The brothers in the Tanzim stressed that without an acceptable political
horizon, which would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state within
the borders of 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital, it will be impossible to
talk about calming down [the situation] or stopping the escalation [at the
time], particularly in light of the continuing Israeli escalation.
In addition, they accurately presented their standpoint with regard to
Europe, and particularly their anger overEurope's latest decision to include
the Al-Aqsa [Martyrs] Brigades [Fatah's operative terrorist wing] in the
list of terrorism, in addition to other Palestinian organizations that fight
for freedom. Crooke promised to deliver the European seniors the message of
the Tanzim, as follows:
There can be no talk of calming down the situation without a political
horizon.
Europe must embrace a neutral, impartial stand with regard to Israel and the
US; in addition, it must be a fair mediator.
Europe must embrace an independent policy, separate from that of the US, in
such a manner as to serve the European interests in the region.
The Fatah movement is willing to fulfill its obligations if the [proper]
conditions are met; that is, if there is a real political horizon that would
be based on the restoration of the Palestinians' rights.
Crooke's message to the Tanzim brothers was that they must take upon
themselves any initiative that would serve the Palestinian people, and think
of ways out of the current predicament without expecting a solution to fall
from the sky or come from the US.
In addition, he asked them to inform the leadership of what happens on the
ground in an honest, truthful manner. Furthermore, he added, if they had
something they believe Europe should know, or any message they would like to
deliver the Europeans, he was willing to deliver that message to the
relevant parties.
Alistair [Crooke] expressed his willingness to carry on with the dialogue
with the Fatah brothers. It was agreed that the contacts would be held
through brother Muhammad al-Najjar [head of the International Relations
department in the Preventive Security in the Gaza Strip].
This is a synopsis of what transpired in the meeting with the Fatah
brothers.
The meeting with the Hamas brothers:
The meeting was attended by: Sheikh Ahmed Yassin [then leader of Hamas], Dr.
Mahmoud al-Zahar [a Hamas senior in the Gaza Strip], Sheikh Isma'il Abu
Shanab [then one of the Hamas political leaders in the Palestinian Authority
administered territories], and Dr. Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi [then a Hamas
senior in the Gaza Strip].
At the start of the meeting, Crooke spoke about the purpose of the meeting,
saying: "We are currently in an extremely grave situation. Europe doesn't
know what President Bush is going to say in his speech to the Middle East.
So far there are about 27 drafts of that speech, and there are disagreements
in the American administration over that issue.
Blair [Prime Minister of the UK] and Solana [Secretary-General of the
European Council and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security
Policy (CFSP) in the European Union] talked with Powell [the US Secretary of
State] and with other [senior] figures in the American administration, but
so far the position is not clear. There are people in the American
administration, like Powell, Armitage [Powell's deputy] and George Tenet
[then director of CIA], who believe that progress is impossible without a
political horizon, and there are people in the Pentagon opposed to any
serious American involvement."
In addition, he [Crooke] said: "I would like to hear your opinion and
position, for a number of reasons":
1.The Hamas movement is close to people [i.e., Palestinians] on the ground,
particularly due to [their] social welfare, aid and charity programs.
2.The Hamas movement is an important political factor.
3.We are all currently entering a difficult time, not just in Palestine but
in the entire region. The main problem is the Israeli occupation.

Sheikh Yassin commented that he was happy to hear that Crooke diagnosed the
[Israeli] occupation as the problem, and said: "Our job is to provide the
world with a clear view of reality so that it can make the right decisions
and judge the situation wisely. The reality is one of deprivation and
brutality, and that serves to escalate the violence and the disagreements.
The dispossessed can do nothing but to take vengeance and repel the
subjugator. Our people and our nation have the peace and the good of the
world in mind; we do not seek blood or war. However, what would you do
instead of us if you were driven out from your home, your land and your
birthplace, and if the occupation followed you and conquered the land that
was left, besieged you, killed you and stuck settlements in your land?! The
Israeli army conquered the land in the year 1948 and followed in our
footsteps in 1967. It kills civilians, the elderly, women and children, and
prevents us from earning our livelihood. What are we to do? Are we to raise
a white flag and surrender? Is there a people who would not rise up against
the [Israeli] occupation? The problem is the occupation. Is it conceivable
that the international community should ask us not to resist the occupation,
provide the occupation with security and not to defend ourselves?!
We demand [he continued] that the occupation be driven off from our land,
and instead of supporting my position of self defense, Europe includes me in
the list of terrorist [organizations]. Just as you supported the fighters in
Afghanistan, you had better support me too [while] America is supporting
Israel with money and weapons.
Alistair replied: "I completely understand what you are saying. At the
beginning of the tenure of the [current] American administration, Europe
tried to work with Powell so that it could gain influence, but did not
succeed. There is an understanding not only on the government level but also
on the popular level, and there is sympathy with the Palestinian people. I
explained to Blair and Solana that the status of Europe in the eyes of the
Palestinians has started to deteriorate.
Sheikh Yassin: "We place great hope in Europe, since it has weight, power
and presence. Instead of being dragged behind the American policy, it must
at the very least say 'no' and refuse to accept that policy".
Alistair promised to deliver that message and said: "We are trying to
implement an independent policy, but whenever we want to work with the
Palestinians on one matter or another-and I'm not trying to pass criticism
on the Palestinian Authority here-we notice a Palestinian tendency to work
with Washington".
Sheikh Yassin: "Any policy dictated by the Palestinian Authority that does
not serve the interests of the Palestinian people is bound to fail and will
not be translated into action. The Palestinian people reject America and
believe that Europe can help them achieve their goals".
Alistair: "I am trying to hear both from you and from the Tanzim. It is easy
to escalate the violence, but it is going to be difficult to pull back in a
few months or more, when opportunity presents itself and you are going to
have to work together. There is a right-wing majority in Sharon's
government, and the Israelis are currently implementing Jabotinsky's
concept, saying that 'if you bring the Palestinians to the point of despair,
and if they feel they have no hope to succeed, they will get used to the
settlers and will produce a pragmatic leadership capable enough of
negotiating a solution [with the Israelis]'. I've spoken to high-ranking
Israeli seniors on their assessment of Operation Defensive Shield [April
2002]. They said there was a temporary success in lowering [the level of]
violence, but that success increases the Palestinians' motivation to attack
the Israelis".
Sheikh Yassin: "The error is the Israeli mentality that relies on force and
on imposing [the Israelis'] desires by force. In 1948, they [forcefully]
took [international] legitimization [for the establishment of the state of
Israel] and in 1967 they conquered [additional Palestinian] land, [and now]
they want to get legitimacy [for that]. They want to confront the
Palestinian people with tanks and airplanes. They have a nuclear and
biological arsenal. Instead of the world standing up to the aggression, they
ask us not to [actively] resist [the Israelis]. If the aggression and the
occupation of the Palestinian people stop, the resistance will stop. It is
not fair to ask the Palestinian people to stop defending themselves".
Alistair: "It is important to end the occupation. The Mitchell Report, parts
of which I assisted in composing, [states that] there is nothing to be done
without a political horizon and that only in that case the [level of]
violence will subside. In order to lower the [level of] violence, it is
necessary to embark on a process of negotiations and discussions within the
right framework. That is why it is necessary to initiate trust-building
measures and a mutual lowering of the [level of] violence.
I would like to ask you: If the Palestinians are once again presented with
the same offer they were made in Taba, will it be possible to accept it?"
The Hamas brothers replied that they did not see what was achieved in Taba.
They asked Alistair to send a copy of the relevant documents from the Taba
peace talks. Alistair promised to do that through brother Muhammad
al-Najjar.
Abu Hassan: "The Hamas movement took initiatives and declared it would stop
terrorist attacks inside Israel, but it was the Israelis who persisted with
their aggression".
Al-Zahar: "We agree with you that the problem is the occupation. We are
talking about Palestine that was occupied in 1948 and [then] in 1967, while
everybody is talking about dismantling the settlements. The simplest thing
is to liberate ourselves from the Israeli occupation and have Israel
withdraw so that we can achieve our goals. The armed struggle is justified
according to all criteria [including] the Geneva [Convention,] that
justifies the right of self defense. We believe that Israel will withdraw
sooner or later.
The second point is once the age of violence is over, we seek to unite the
Palestinian people in order to establish a true state. We know it is
impossible to secure our land against the occupation, unless it is by
holding elections "inside" [the Palestinian Authority controlled
territories] as well as abroad and establish a sovereign [Palestinian] state
rather than an autonomy. We will not settle for anything less than an
independent state. We will build our foundations with the Arab and Muslim
nation and draw away from the corruption that has its source in Israel and
the West. Everyone understands that our [i.e., Hamas'] interest is to be
talking with Europe while the [Fatah-dominated Palestinian] Authority
prefers America.
It is a mistake to consider Islam an enemy. There is not a single word in
Islam or in the Quran calling for discrimination. The Jews had their golden
age under Islamic [rule]. We treat Jews and Christians as human beings. They
believe in the return of the Messiah and that Jerusalem should be under
Jewish rule. This is the foundation [of their faith] and it is well-known.
We are talking about paving the way toward [a connection] between
Palestinians and Arabs and between Europe and America. That is why we are
willing to discuss all the aspects and explain our ideas. No member of Hamas
is thirsting for blood. We want our babies to live away from arrest and
deportation. How long can we suffer?!
We are not satisfied with the British government. We are not terrorists and
nobody accepts that. We are defending ourselves. We want to liberate
ourselves from the [Israeli] occupation and return to the embrace of the
Arab [world] and rebuild [sic] our state".
Sheikh Yassin: " Israel does not want peace. Ever since Oslo, the Israelis
have not opened the way toward peace. Israel does not want to give the
Palestinians a future in their homeland and it will continue its arrogant
[policy]. I believe that the fact that the role of the UN is non-existent
[i.e. that the UN is not involved in the solution of the problem] is the
reason for that. They even turned down the Jenin Committee [for
investigating the false allegations brought up by the Palestinians during
Operation Defensive Shield]. Israel attacks in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Tunis
and Egypt, and that is how it defends itself [i.e. Israel claims that
attacking Arab countries is an act of self defense]. What is more, it
continues to build settlements".
Alistair: "We believe that the settlements are illegal. The European
position on this matter is not vague. It was mentioned in the Mitchell
Report. The building of settlements must be brought to a complete halt.
As for terrorism, I hate that word. I have spent some time in my life with
freedom fighters like in Colombia. We were affected by the events of
September 11. People cannot tolerate the sight of babies being killed, and
that triggers an emotional response. When America reacted to the September
11 events [by its massive attack about a month later], the Afghan people
should not have paid the price for that".
Sheikh Yassin: "Time will tell that Israel knew [in advance] about what
happened in America and that it was global Zionism that paralyzed the
American security, so that war could be declared on the Islamic world and on
Hamas. About 100-120 Zionist-American agents [knew about it] and did not
report it. I do not rule out the possibility that they attempted to seduce
Hamas [operatives] and other Islamic operatives [to do it]".
Alistair: "What Europe has done. [Changing the subject:] We do not consider
the political wing of Hamas to be a terrorist organization, and the same
complaints were made regarding Fatah"
As for Dr. Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi, he said: "If the occupation is brought to
an end, the resistance will come to an end [as well]". Likewise, he gave
statements similar to those given earlier by the [other senior] Hamas
members.
Crooke personally asked Hamas not to announce the meeting [i.e., keep it a
secret], fearing there are people, particularly Americans and Israelis, who
might take advantage of such information. Hamas hesitated about Crooke's
request, as they did not want to jeopardize [their relations with] the
[Palestinian] Authority, and wished to avoid the impression that Hamas was
engaged in [secret] dialogues or that it might be forming an alternate
leadership. Therefore, Hamas wanted to make the meeting known. It was agreed
that this time the meeting would be kept a secret and the [Palestinian]
Authority was informed of that decision: brother Abu Hatem [Rashid Abu
Shbak, then deputy chief of the Preventive Security in the Gaza Strip] and
brother Abu Fadi [Muhammad Dahlan, former chief of the Preventive Security
in the Gaza Strip]. They said they would discuss the issue among themselves
[only] and come to a decision regarding future meetings. They notified
Alistair that they were willing to hold a dialogue.
Mr. Alistair [Crooke] asked [me] to ask you to talk with the brothers in
Hamas in order to convince them to continue the dialogue, so that it would
be carried out by you, in order not to embarrass any side. Also, he
[Alistair Crooke] would like to hear your impression if you have indeed been
approached either by the brothers in the [Fatah] Tanzim or by Hamas, if
possible.
End.
[Awaiting] your instructions
Your brother, Muhammad al-Najja

Appendix D

The original documents

For illustrations www.intelligence.org.il/eng/sib/4_05/tran_eu.htm