Speaking on the official Palestinian Authority TV channel on July 28, Sheikh 'Imad Hamatu said that the Jews are the root of envy in this world. "The greatest envy that the Jews harbor toward [the Muslims] is because of the cohesion and unity of this nation," he said.

Sheikh 'Imad Hamatu: "Allah warns us about the first sin that occurred on Earth – envy.

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"The first to spread envy in the nation... The first time that envy appeared as an international disease, until it became the disease of all nations, was among the Jews.

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"The Prophet Muhammad warned us about this envy, saying that the Jews are the root of envy in this world. He said: 'The Jews envied us because of three things.' 'What are they, oh Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'They envied us because of our Friday.'

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"The Jews envied us because of three things. They envied us because of our Friday, because we stand in rows during prayer, and because we say 'Amen" during prayer. Dear God! What is the common denominator between these three things – Friday, our standing in rows during prayer, and our saying 'Amen'? What do we share regarding these three things? What we share regarding these three things is the unity and cohesion of the Muslims. The Friday prayer must not be held at home without justification. One must go out and meet one's brethren in the mosque. Then they stand in rows, which represents the unity of the Muslims. During prayer, we proclaim as one: 'Amen.' They hate us for our cohesion. They hate us for our unity. The greatest envy that the Jews harbor towards us is because of the cohesion and unity of this nation."