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22 brother Zahar are wrong, and do not represent the position of the Hamas movement or any of its institutions. They represent a violation of the organizational traditions followed by Hamas, and are not worthy of being issued against the leader or leadership of the Hamas movement." He added that "Dr. Zahar is not authorized to comment on the statements made by the leader of the Hamas movement...the political bureau is the only institution that is authorized to issue any clarification or explanation on the statements issued by the leadership." Despite his strong statements, Izzat al-Rashaq denied that Zahar's statements reflect a state of disagreement or division within Hamas, stressing that "there is no disagreement within Hamas, the movement is highly united, and its decisions are one." Senior Hamas official Dr. Salah al-Bardawil confirmed to Asharq Al- Awsat that the Hamas movement is united, saying that some media outlets are trying to convince the public that there is division within the ranks of Hamas. Al-Bardawil also stressed that Hamas figures have the right to issue their statements using whatever language they wish so long as they are expressing their own views and ideas, and this does not mean that there is a split in the Hamas movement's decision. Dr. Bardawil also stressed to Ashargq Al-Awsat that Hamas is under the leadership of Khalid Meshal, adding that Hamas is a resistance movement that believes that resistance is the means of liberating Palestine, especially after it has became clear to everybody that "it would be a terrible gamble to bet on these futile negotiations." HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_023538