Taliban spokesman ‘did not address media identified as Israeli’ 

A Taliban spokesman has insisted that he did not speak to any media identified as Israeli, Arabi21.com reported today.

Suhail Shaheen was heard answering questions about the rights of minorities, including Jews, the London-based news website said. He gave his answer to an Israeli reporter, who did not identify himself as such.

In the recording of th telephone interview, Shaheen is heard asking the journalist, “What TV are you working at?” The reporter answered, “Kan News, Kan News”. This is an Israeli state TV station.

Shaheen pointed out that the movement is open to speaking with Western media and journalists who adopt different identities.

When asked about the Taliban being congratulated by Hamas, he thanked the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, but denied any cooperation with it.

“We fought the occupation only in Afghanistan,” he explained. “We do not have any cooperation with Hamas in any region. We thank anyone who congratulates us on our independence.”

Following the withdrawal of US troops, the Taliban has regained control over all of Afghanistan. Many governments around the world have since expressed their concerns about civil freedoms and the rights of minorities in the country. However, the Taliban has assured them that it will maintain the freedoms of everyone regardless of their religious and political views.

READ: Union of Muslim Scholars calls for unity in Afghanistan