Speaking at the “Voice for Al-Aqsa, Hope for Prisoners” program, Dr. Teysir Süleyman, Head of the Hamas Prisoners and Martyrs Unit, evaluated current issues of the Palestinian question at İZÜ, ranging from the founding process of Hamas to memories of captivity, from the events after October 7 to the occupation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the decision regarding the execution of Palestinian prisoners.
Dr. Teysir Süleyman, Head of the Hamas Prisoners and Martyrs Unit and a journalist, attended the “Voice for Al-Aqsa, Hope for Prisoners” program organized by the National Youth Club and the Palestinian Student Community. Speaking at the program, Süleyman shared his memories from the founding process of Hamas to the resistance they initiated under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmed Yasin, as well as his thoughts on the events after October 7. Stating that Yasin, who gathered young people around him during the founding of Hamas, offered them two paths, Süleyman said: “The first was to continue daily life under occupation, and the second was to resist for a life of dignity.”
SÜLEYMAN: “THIS IS NOT ONLY PALESTINE’S ISSUE, BUT THE ISSUE OF ALL HUMANITY”
Emphasizing in his speech that the Palestinian issue does not belong only to Palestinians, Süleyman said, “The expression ‘Palestinian cause’ is a major mistake. This is not only Palestine’s cause, but the cause of Muslims and everyone who seeks freedom.” Drawing attention to Israel’s long-standing practices, Süleyman evaluated the decision regarding the execution of Palestinian prisoners with the following words: “Since October 7, more than 73 thousand people have been martyred. Isn’t this also an execution? Does execution only happen on gallows?” Giving examples from his own period of imprisonment, Süleyman said, “I spent 20 years of my life in prison with names such as Yahya Sinwar and Ahmed Yasin. We were kept for months in a cold storage facility and subjected to torture. Many of our friends were martyred during this process. Since October 7, 73 thousand people have been martyred in Gaza. Isn’t what was done to them also an execution?”
“THE SOURCE OF RESISTANCE IS FAITH AND YOUTH”
Responding to criticisms directed at the Hamas resistance, Süleyman said, “When the occupation began in 1948, Hamas did not exist. It also did not exist 55 years ago when the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza were occupied. What mobilized us was the occupation and oppression we were subjected to.” Stating that there are three elements at the core of the resistance, Süleyman expressed that the strength of the Palestinian resistance comes from belief in the homeland, faith that God is the greatest source of power, and youth ready for resistance. Emphasizing that they were initially about 40 people but have now reached tens of thousands, Süleyman stated that sufficient support has not been given to the resistance carried out under siege in Palestine and said, “History will write this struggle carried out with limited means.” Reminding that Al-Aqsa Mosque does not belong only to Palestinians, Süleyman called, “Ask yourselves every day, ‘What did I do today for Al-Aqsa Mosque?’” Süleyman concluded his speech with the words, “We may die, but our faith will live on. We may surrender our souls, but we will not surrender our weapons.”