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Palestinian militants (unrelated)
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| By Israel Insider staff August 13, 2007 |
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Hamas militants attempted to quell a protest on Monday by political opponents, 300 of whom managed their way into the main square, chanting, "We want freedom." Despite the clubs and rifle butts that the militants used to beat the participants, they were largely unsuccessful at suppressing the crowd.
"Treating people in this way when they came to raise their voice in a peaceful demonstration is something that is condemned, rejected and cannot be accepted," the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Saleh Nasser, said, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Using force, Hamas prevented busloads of protesters from entering the square, but the 300 that made it to the area stayed for 20 minutes before being dispersed, yelling "we want to raise our voice. "
Hamas prohibited all demonstrations and public gatherings that did not have special authorization after Fatah and other allied groups announced their intention to stage a rally Monday.
"We are astonished by the decision to ban demonstrations," Nasser continued, condemning Hamas? actions.
Hamas officials insisted that they broke up the rally because of the group did not have the required authorization, denying any political agenda.
"There is no decision to ban rallies by Fatah or others. Today's rally was stopped because organizers refused to seek permission," Haaretz quoted Ehab al-Ghsain, spokesman of the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza, as saying.
Following the rally, Hamas raided the offices of media organizations, stealing footage, cameras and equipment. They stole a camera from the Associated Press.
"What happened today was an... attempt to suppress and terrorize people who have the right to hold peaceful demonstrations," Jamil Mezher, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said.
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