Special to WorldTribune.com

GAZA CITY — The Hamas regime has begun arresting critics of its new
ally, Qatar.

Hamas security forces have sought to stop criticism of Qatar and its
leading figures. Palestinian sources said the Hamas regime arrested a former
Palestinian Authority minister after he criticized Qatar’s Sheik Yusef
Qaradawi, deemed the leading Sunni cleric in the Arab world.

“No one is above the law,” the Hamas Interior Ministry said.

The sources said Ibrahim Abrash was arrested on May 23 and interrogated
about his articles deemed offensive to Al Qaradawi, who visited the
Gaza Strip days earlier. They said Abrash was ordered to formally apologize
but refused.

The Interior Ministry said Abrash was arrested because of his failure to
appear for an interrogation on May 26. The ministry said Abrash was later
released.

Over the last two years, Qatar has become a leading supporter of Hamas.
This has included hosting the Hamas leadership in the Gulf Cooperation
Council emirate as well as relaying hundreds of millions of dollars and fuel
to the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights cited the Internal Security
Service for the latest crackdown. The center said Hamas officers consider Al
Qaradawi “sacred.”

“Dr. Abrash stated that following this, at approximately 16:00 on
Sunday, 26 May 2013, two ISS officers arrived at his house in Tal Al Hawa
neighborhood in west of Gaza City and asked him to accompany them,” the
center said on May 27. “Abrash added that the two officers took him to the
ISS office. There, he met with a senior ISS officer, who talked about Dr.
Abrash’s articles and criticisms. Abrash said that he was allowed to leave
about half an hour later.”

The center said Hamas continued to violate freedom of expression
guaranteed by Palestinian Basic Law. ISS was also cited for violating the
law.

“The measures taken by ISS, including summons and interrogations, are in
violation of law,” the center said. “Summoning is allowed only by a judicial
order, and summoning on the grounds of an opinion piece constitutes a
violation to the right to freedom of opinion and expression.”

  Hamas arrests outspoken critics of top donor Qatar, Ibrahim Abrash, Internal Sercurity Service, Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Sheik Yusef Qaradawi