Haniyya: New Government Based On Not Folding To Threats Or Recognizing Israel

2006-03-02

www.ipc.gov.ps/ ipc_new/english/ details.asp?name=14098

GAZA, Palestine, March 2, 2006 (IPC + Agencies) -[Official PA website] - Prime Minister-designate from Hamas movement Ismail Haniyya said that the constants of the new government include not succumbing to international threats and refusing the recognition of Israel.

According to Hamas' media information center, Haniyya said the movement will consider a great difference between political negotiations and daily life with the occupation, pointing out that this reality will be dealt with without harming the interests of the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, Haniyya stressed, in an interview with the Tunisian newspaper Al Shurooq, that this government will exercise its role based on its election by the Palestinian people, which will give it the ability to face any attempts to abort Hamas' political agenda of resistance.

Regarding the variation in political stances between the coming government and the Palestinian presidential establishment, Haniyya explained that "agreement exists in the fact that we are not against the interests of the Palestinian people, but political difference relate to the means in which the lost Palestinian rights are regained."

"This doesn't mean that we are in argument with the presidential establishment, and the movement will not seek to create a crisis with it. Everyone should respect our electoral platform which gained the consensus of the Palestinian people," Haniyya added.

The Hamas leader warned of any practices against the movement assuming the role it was chosen for, which might engulf everyone in a vicious circle, expressing amazement of the increased pressure on Hamas to recognize Israel, while no one asks Israel in return to respect the international legitimacy resolutions.

"If the government yet to be formed recognizes Israel in light of its siege, Apartheid Wall and settlement activities, this will mean recognizing all these practices."

Responding to a question about the Israeli and American pressure and cutting off financial aid off the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Ismail Haniyya described it as an extortion Hamas takes into consideration, asserting that thwarting these plots will have them resort to other plans. He further stated that Hamas' recent tour in Arab countries displayed all the facts on the ground and Hamas' agenda toward them.

He mentioned, "We hope these countries would increase its support of the Palestinian cause, which is central to both the Arab and Islamic worlds."

In the meantime, the spokesman for Fateh movement, Ahmad Abdul Rahman, said the participation of his movement in the government to be formed by Hamas is conditional upon Hamas movement's commitment to President Mahmoud Abbas' letter of appointment and his address to the new legislative council.

Abdul Rahman told the Media and Information Center that the political language from Hamas statements doesn't encourage Fateh to think about joining the national coalition government, as these statements are wrapped with ambiguity.

He demanded Hamas movement clarify its position towards the PNA's commitments in the past ten years, in reference to the agreements signed between the PNA and Israel, and the consequent regional and international commitments.

With regards to what was reported about external pressure being exercised on Fateh movement to join the government, Abdul Rahman said the movement "responds only to the interest of the Palestinian people."

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis