Today's murder of the Hamas leader Dr Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi by Israeli forces serves to underline the immense danger Israel and its main ally - the United States - represents to the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East.

"In the week that President Bush unilaterally and ignominiously endorsed the daylight theft of yet more Palestinian land by the Israelis, it can be no surprise that the Butcher of Sabra and Shatila, Ariel Sharon, felt emboldened enough to continue his killing spree of the Palestinian leadership. We are however certain that the Israelis will not succeed in their attempt to enact their own 'final solution' against the occupied Palestinian people with their continued defiance of international legality. It is only a matter of time, God Willing, before the Israeli killing machine is brought to a halt by the forces of justice," said Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

With every passing day, it is becoming ever clearer to much of the globe's population that the systematic oppression and brutalisation of the Palestinian people by the Israelis is only serving to heighten the tension in our troubled world.

"We offer our condolences to the family of Dr al-Rantisi and the long-suffering Palestinian nation. We call upon all supporters of justice and freedom to come to their aid with practical programmes designed to end Israel's illegal occupation of their land," added Mr Sacranie.

[Ends]

Note for Editors:

The Muslim Council of Britain (www.mcb.org.uk) is the UK's representative Muslim umbrella body with over 400 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

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