Palestinians slam Israeli plan to expel Hamas

Human rights activists denounce attempt to revoke residency based on political affiliation

Published June 24, 2010 1:20PM (EDT)

The Palestinian president has denounced Israel's plan to expel four politicians from Jerusalem because they belong to the Islamic militant group Hamas.

Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that expelling the four would set a "very dangerous precedent."

Israel has stripped thousands of Palestinians of their Jerusalem residency since capturing the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Mideast War, citing procedural reasons.

However, human rights activists say revoking the residency of the four Hamas politicians marks the first time Israel acts against Arab residents of the city because of their political affiliation. Israel considers Hamas a terrorist group.

Israel wants to expel the men to the neighboring West Bank. Abbas says such expulsions are unacceptable and create new obstacles for peace.


By Associated Press

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