SAEB EREKAT: HAMAS IS NOT A TERRORIST ORGANISATION

Ramallah, 27 Jumadil Akhir 1435/27 April 2014 (MINA) – Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that Hamas has a right not to recognise Israel, and that it is a Palestinian group, not a terrorist one.

In an interview with Irem News website, Erekat accused Israel of “flagrant intervention in Palestinian affairs”, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

He pointed out that “Israel is aware that a Palestinian state along 67 borders would not be viable without inter-Palestinian reconciliation”.

Furthermore, Erekat accused Israel of using the reconciliation agreement as a pretext to hinder negotiations. He also considered Israel’s warning of imposing sanctions on the Palestinian Authority as a form of “thuggery”, stressing that there is no return to negotiations unless Israel fulfils its commitments.

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Media Advisor of the Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza Taher al-Nunu denied definitively the statement published by the Washington Post newspaper regarding the possibility of Hamas recognition of Israel.

He stressed in a statement posted on his facebook page on Sunday morning, “the recognition of Israel did not happen in the past and will never be in the present or the future, pointing out he will pursu the paper legally, Al-Ray Media Agency reported.

The Washington Post allegedly quoted on Al-Nunu that “Hamas did not rule out the possibility of recognizing Israel,” and “it will discuss this subject with the Palestinian National Liberation movement, Fatah.”

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This news is widely spread in different Israeli and international media outlets in light of the recent reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah.

Israel and US rejected the Palestinian reconciliation and threatened to cut off financial aids to the PLO.

Head of Hamas political bureau Khaled Meshaal said that both Fatah and Hamas have “genuine will” to move forward in a new phase of unity and forget the era of divisions which lasted for seven years.

Speaking to Al-Jazeera, Meshaal said that the “common obsession” for the Palestinian factions is the reorganisation of the PLO because it is the doorstep for starting a new “real partnership” aiming at uniting the Palestinian decision.

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Meshaal stressed that Palestinian reconciliation strengthens Palestinians in the face of Israeli occupation, which “spreads bloodshed, desecrates holy places and confiscates land.”

Regarding the popular position towards the reconciliation, Meshaal said that the Palestinians are “worried and cautious” about the reconciliation because of previous “relapses” followed several previous agreements.

However, he pledged “to do [his] best” to lead this Palestinian project to success. He considered what Fatah and Hamas have done as “vital” to all sides.(T/P02/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)