Originally Published: 2002-05-12

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"Whose 'official position' are we talking about? I condemn terrorism and fundamentalism, precisely because they are not what our faith requires. It's really simple: according to the Koran, suicide is a sin. In other words, those who commit suicide, for whatever reason, go to hell. This interpretation dates back to the first century of Islam's history. The same goes for war, which must be between armies led by heads of state. Where's the justification for what's happening in Israel? Therefore, according to the Koran, terrorism is unacceptable. On the other hand, a lot of people accept it, in Palestine, kids are educated in violence and terrorism in the schools. Even the international community accepts it, otherwise the position would not be the one we see every day".
On several occasions, you accused the United States, and even Europe, of anti-Semitism. What do you mean by that?
"I mean that, due to economic considerations, these countries have in fact embraced the cause of the terrorists. Fundamentalist propaganda is funded by these countries, which on the one hand claim they want peace, and on the other do nothing to obtain it, to find out which tools are needed".
Which tools are needed, in your opinion?
"Condemning terrorism for real, taking action. Stopping people who must be stopped, in this case, Arafat. Not allowing, for instance, that when a church is taken over by fundamentalists, such as the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, the outrage goes against the Israeli army that tries to intervene. Had it happened anywhere else, things would have been different. There's no international court of justice for Arafat like there is for Milosevic".
And you believe that public opinion is with you?
"Yes, it is. There's a huge distance between what the public thinks and feels, and the world of politics".
Are you optimistic or pessimistic?
"I'm pessimistic, because I can't see any real change, even though in Italy, for instance, something moved in the last few weeks, at least as far as public opinion is concerned".

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