GAZA, May 10 (UPI) -- While Islamic by nature, Hamas is nevertheless worried by the surge of militant al-Qaida ideas in the Palestinian territories.
Prominent Hamas lawmaker Younes al-Astal told United Press International he was "worried over the growth of this trend." Astal is considered a hawk in the Palestinian Islamic movement, which is leading a national unity government after its sweeping elections victory in January 2006.
"I cannot say for certain that al-Qaida has a presence in Gaza, but I can say the current political conditions provide fertile ground for planting al-Qaida ideas, whether affiliated or not" with the group, Astal said in an interview in Gaza.
The lawmaker was echoing similar concerns by other Hamas officials seeking to make a clear distinction between the movement's Islamic trends and the militant al-Qaida, whose supporters in Gaza have been attacking local restaurants, cafes and shops they deem religiously blasphemous.
Palestinian security forces this week arrested seven elements from the Salafist group -- extremist Islamists -- after they reportedly attacked a cultural event on the grounds that it violates Islamic norms and laws. The authorities believe the pro-al-Qaida Salafists are responsible for a series of bomb attacks on Internet cafes, music shops and cultural centers in the Gaza Strip. In addition, previously unknown groups have recently been issuing political statements relaying ideas similar to al-Qaida's.
Astal called for accord and partnership among all Palestinian forces, starting with Hamas and nationalist Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas. He said such unity would "guarantee success in confronting the dangerous trends on society."
