The Gaza Strip’s Hamas movement condemned the actions of students from the West Bank's Fatah party who hanged an effigy of the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani on Tuesday.
Hamas expressed its rejection of what it described as an "immoral act" carried out by students from the Palestine Technical University in the West Bank city of Tulkarem during the closing ceremony of the university's student council elections.
Students hanged the puppet representing the Qatari emir, chanting for his death.
Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zahri stated that it was “an insult to the people of Qatar, to the reputation of the Palestinian people, and will force unnecessary confrontations with other Arab factions."
"We as Hamas strongly condemn such behaviour and consider that there are other more legitimate ways to express one's opinion," Abu Zahri added.
He further noted Qatar's role in supporting the Palestinian cause and its people, calling on the emir to disregard such actions.
Relations between the Hamas government and Qatar are amicable shown by a recent visit by Sheikh Hamad's visit to the Gaza Strip in October 2012.
During his visit, he pledged $400 million for housing and infrastructure development.
