Hamas PM Ismail Haniya on Economic Crisis: Allah Is Punishing America for Its Usury

Following are excerpts from a speech by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya which aired on Al-Aqsa TV on October 10, 2008.

Ismail Haniya: Those who decided to impose a siege on our people, who used funds to restrict our people, who encourage local and regional elements to impose a siege on our people and restrict it, and who brandished a club against anyone who wanted to aid the Palestinian people were punished by Allah by their own means and methods, in keeping with the words of Allah: "Whoever works evil will be requited accordingly," and "Oh men, your rebellion is against yourselves."

Oh Americans, your rebellion is against yourselves. Oh Americans, Allah will punish you because you have attacked Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, and because you have fought anyone who raised the banner of Islam. The time has come for Allah to declare war on you, oh usurers! How could He not? After all, in the Koran, Allah declared war in only one case – that of usury: "Be warned of war from Allah and His Messenger."