February 5, 2008
Source: Haaretz
Wire Service: AP
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/951436.html
Israel has shut down a religious and educational center in East Jerusalem, saying Tuesday it served as a front for the violently anti-Israel Islamic Hamas group.
According to a police statement Tuesday, the Education Club in the Zur Baher village is run by Hamas activists, financed by the Islamic group, and actively recruits people to its ranks.
Hussein Abu Hamed, director of the center, called the accusations baseless.
"We are not connected to any Palestinian faction, and we don't represent any Palestinian faction," Abu Hamed said.