Hamas rules out recognition of Israel
Thu, 20 May 2010 06:44:50 GMT
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Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya (R) |
Hamas has proposed a phased establishment of a Palestinian state, insisting its acceptance of the 1967 borders will not involve the recognition of Israel.
The proposal would see the acceptance of a Palestinian state "in stages" on the 1967 armistice line, with the currently Israeli occupied East al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital, Ma'an news agency quoted senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya as saying on Wednesday.
It also requires "the return of all refugees without recognizing Israel in exchange for a 10-year truce," Hayya told a Hamas conference in Gaza City's al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood.
"This means that if the international community grants the right of return to the six million Palestinian refugees across the world to their homes in Haifa, Yaffa, and Akko [Acre], then there will no longer be an occupying state," he noted.
The Hamas official said the return of Palestinian refugees was "the cornerstone of the Palestinian cause" and would signal the end of Israeli occupation, what he said was paramount to the movement's 1967 border proposal.
Accusing Israel of waging a "fierce war" against the Palestinians' rights, Hayya highlighted resistance as the only way for the Palestinians to regain their rights and called on the nation to be "prepared with culture, faith, weapons and unity among each other."
He said the movement's border proposal "differs greatly from that of Fatah" on the creation of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, calling on the rival faction consider other options put forward by Palestinian groups regarding the peace process.
"Come, let us have unity among our people on Palestinian principles. Why should we deprive our people of open options?"
The remarks come weeks after Israeli media said the Gaza-based Hamas government had written letters to US President Barack Obama, saying they were ready to "recognize Israel within the 1967 borders in exchange for a ceasefire agreement."
Hamas confirmed sending letters, but stressed they contained nothing against the movement's policy which reserves Hamas the right to resist Israeli forces until they withdraw from areas occupied in 1967.
The letter simply "included a request for Obama to change his policy towards the Palestinian people and their rights," said Taher al-Nunu, a spokesman for the Hamas government.
The proposal would see the acceptance of a Palestinian state "in stages" on the 1967 armistice line, with the currently Israeli occupied East al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital, Ma'an news agency quoted senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya as saying on Wednesday.
It also requires "the return of all refugees without recognizing Israel in exchange for a 10-year truce," Hayya told a Hamas conference in Gaza City's al-Shujaiyeh neighborhood.
"This means that if the international community grants the right of return to the six million Palestinian refugees across the world to their homes in Haifa, Yaffa, and Akko [Acre], then there will no longer be an occupying state," he noted.
The Hamas official said the return of Palestinian refugees was "the cornerstone of the Palestinian cause" and would signal the end of Israeli occupation, what he said was paramount to the movement's 1967 border proposal.
Accusing Israel of waging a "fierce war" against the Palestinians' rights, Hayya highlighted resistance as the only way for the Palestinians to regain their rights and called on the nation to be "prepared with culture, faith, weapons and unity among each other."
He said the movement's border proposal "differs greatly from that of Fatah" on the creation of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, calling on the rival faction consider other options put forward by Palestinian groups regarding the peace process.
"Come, let us have unity among our people on Palestinian principles. Why should we deprive our people of open options?"
The remarks come weeks after Israeli media said the Gaza-based Hamas government had written letters to US President Barack Obama, saying they were ready to "recognize Israel within the 1967 borders in exchange for a ceasefire agreement."
Hamas confirmed sending letters, but stressed they contained nothing against the movement's policy which reserves Hamas the right to resist Israeli forces until they withdraw from areas occupied in 1967.
The letter simply "included a request for Obama to change his policy towards the Palestinian people and their rights," said Taher al-Nunu, a spokesman for the Hamas government.
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