Palestinian factions praise Tunisian uprising

Palestinian factions are praising the Tunisians for the recent uprising that led to the ousting of their once president Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali, who had “suspicious” ties with Israel, and for bringing the country’s decision back to the people.

“We are with the Tunisians in choosing their leaders, no matter what sacrifices it takes,” said Gaza Foreign Minister Fathi Hammad.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said his movement respects the will and choice of the Tunisians and assures it will stand by them.

Islamic Jihad Movement spokesman Dawud Shehab, in statements he made for the AFP, accused the former Tunisian regime of having “suspicious ties” with Israel.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), a member faction of the PLO, warned the Tunisian people of “waves of political Islam” that could turn the “great victory” into a “quagmire of extremism and terrorism”.

In an attack on the Gaza-governing Hamas group, the DFLP called on Tunisian forces to “cut the road to political Islam and its misleading slogans to avoid a repeat of the Gaza Strip experience in Tunisia.”

The Tunisians successfully forced Ben Ali out of power after a month of suppressed protests that left hundreds of casualties. The Tunisian Ambassador to UNESCO said Ben Ali told him he warranted the lethal force used against civilians as a means of blocking any chance for the Muslim Brotherhood at power.

However, Sheikh Habib Khader, an Islamic Jihad leader, told the PIC in a statement on Saturday evening that his movement viewed with concern the DFLP statement.