Taysser Khalied: attack on freedom of speech very dangerous

Tuesday July 31, 2007 13:16 by IMEMC Staff - IMEMC News Agency

Taysser Khalied, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and of the political office of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, condemned today the recent attack by the Hamas Executive Force on Palestinian newspapers and their distributors in the Gaza strip.

Hamas Executive Force patrol in Gaza (archive)

He stated that there was no justification for attacks on the press by the Executive Force and its leaders, characterizing it as an attack on freedom of speech in Palestine. Khalied said that the attempt of the Executive Force leaders to justify the move recalled their attempts to justify the "Hamas military coup" last month in the coastal region.

Khalied welcomed the condemnation of the attack by Hamas legislators, as well as their refusal to provide any political cover for the Executive Force or aid in covering up the attacks. According to Khalied, Hamas legislators recognized that the Executive Force has become a stronghold of power in the coastal region. He concluded his statement with his view that the recent negative conduct of the Executive Force was even worse than that of the Palestinian Authority allied security forces prior to the Palestinian second intifada.

Translated by Ghassan Bannoura, IMEMC News Room

gaza strip | palestinian attacks | news report