16 dec 2014
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will be holding a meeting in London, on Tuesday, with the Palestinian delegation headed by Chief Negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat, and various Arab officials.
Again, Kerry will be trying to convince the Abbas and Arab officials to rescind, or at least “delay," the Palestinian application to the Security Council demanding a time-frame for ending the Israeli occupation within three years.
The United States said it would use its veto power to topple the Palestinian move, but is trying to prevent the application from being submitted in the first place to avoid a hostile political move that could jeopardize its ties with various Arab and Islamic countries.
In addition, Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-‘Arabi will be holding a meeting, Tuesday, with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to discuss the Palestinian application, and the French proposal regarding a “final agreement between Israel and the Palestinians within two years.”
After landing in London last night, Kerry held a meeting with his French, British and German counterparts, and discussed the Palestinian application and the French proposal.
American officials said the United States “has not yet decided whether to support of oppose the French proposal, adding that “there are various issues that the U.S. cannot ever support.
On his part, Fabius said he and his counterparts intend to discuss a draft that would be supported by all parties, and added that the United States clearly said it intends use its veto power.
On Monday evening, Kerry held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Rome, but Netanyahu refused to reveal “whether Kerry promised the US would use its veto against the Palestinian application.”
In addition, Netanyahu said, “Israel will refuse any proposal that would escalate tension, and endanger Tel Aviv.”
Netanyahu added that, a few days ago, he phoned the French President Francois Hollande asking him not to submit his country's proposal to the Security Council.
Again, Kerry will be trying to convince the Abbas and Arab officials to rescind, or at least “delay," the Palestinian application to the Security Council demanding a time-frame for ending the Israeli occupation within three years.
The United States said it would use its veto power to topple the Palestinian move, but is trying to prevent the application from being submitted in the first place to avoid a hostile political move that could jeopardize its ties with various Arab and Islamic countries.
In addition, Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-‘Arabi will be holding a meeting, Tuesday, with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to discuss the Palestinian application, and the French proposal regarding a “final agreement between Israel and the Palestinians within two years.”
After landing in London last night, Kerry held a meeting with his French, British and German counterparts, and discussed the Palestinian application and the French proposal.
American officials said the United States “has not yet decided whether to support of oppose the French proposal, adding that “there are various issues that the U.S. cannot ever support.
On his part, Fabius said he and his counterparts intend to discuss a draft that would be supported by all parties, and added that the United States clearly said it intends use its veto power.
On Monday evening, Kerry held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Rome, but Netanyahu refused to reveal “whether Kerry promised the US would use its veto against the Palestinian application.”
In addition, Netanyahu said, “Israel will refuse any proposal that would escalate tension, and endanger Tel Aviv.”
Netanyahu added that, a few days ago, he phoned the French President Francois Hollande asking him not to submit his country's proposal to the Security Council.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be holding a meeting, on Tuesday evening, with various senior Palestinian officials before submitting the Palestinian application at the UN Security Council, demanding a time-frame for ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Fateh Movement official Abbas Zaki said the meeting would conclude all prior meetings held by the Palestinian leadership to discuss various important issues regarding the Palestinian cause, political activities, and the escalating Israeli violations.
“The meeting will witness the final touches for the Palestinian application that would be submitted to the Security Council tomorrow,” Zaki said, “The top of the agenda includes filing more applications to join international institutions and treaties, especially the Rome Convention.”
He added that the leadership will discuss severing ties with Tel Aviv, including the joint “security coordination.”
The official added that the Palestinian leadership did not decide to stop security coordination with Tel Aviv during its Sunday meeting because it needed to discuss different scenarios, and to ensure support for its political moves from various Arab and international countries.
“We aren't acting on our own. We have Arab and international support; we want to advance with confidence,” Zaki stated, “This also includes decisions regarding security coordination with Tel Aviv; we do not want to lose the current support.”
He said the Palestinian leadership would be weighing the upcoming comprehensive national strategy, to ensure it conducts all needed measures to ensure protection to the Palestinians.
“Gaza is a high priority issue, it is a devastated area, and we must do everything in our power to end the aggression and siege,” the official added, “It will always be a top priority under all circumstances.”
The meeting is the fourth since Israeli soldiers killed the head of the Palestinian Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ein, last week.
Fateh Movement official Abbas Zaki said the meeting would conclude all prior meetings held by the Palestinian leadership to discuss various important issues regarding the Palestinian cause, political activities, and the escalating Israeli violations.
“The meeting will witness the final touches for the Palestinian application that would be submitted to the Security Council tomorrow,” Zaki said, “The top of the agenda includes filing more applications to join international institutions and treaties, especially the Rome Convention.”
He added that the leadership will discuss severing ties with Tel Aviv, including the joint “security coordination.”
The official added that the Palestinian leadership did not decide to stop security coordination with Tel Aviv during its Sunday meeting because it needed to discuss different scenarios, and to ensure support for its political moves from various Arab and international countries.
“We aren't acting on our own. We have Arab and international support; we want to advance with confidence,” Zaki stated, “This also includes decisions regarding security coordination with Tel Aviv; we do not want to lose the current support.”
He said the Palestinian leadership would be weighing the upcoming comprehensive national strategy, to ensure it conducts all needed measures to ensure protection to the Palestinians.
“Gaza is a high priority issue, it is a devastated area, and we must do everything in our power to end the aggression and siege,” the official added, “It will always be a top priority under all circumstances.”
The meeting is the fourth since Israeli soldiers killed the head of the Palestinian Committee against the Wall and Settlements, Minister Ziad Abu ‘Ein, last week.
UN special coordinator for the Middle East Robert Serry warned of the uncertain future of the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis and the gravity of the political obstacles hindering the reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.
This came during his speech at the UN Security Council session held on Monday to listen to his report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and other Middle East areas.
Serry expressed hope that the Egyptian authorities could overcome its security issues soon so as to reopen the Rafah border crossing and allow the movement of passengers and goods into and from Gaza.
The UN official also called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities towards the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.
He also warned that the collapse of the ruling coalition in Israel and the scheduling of early elections on March 17, 2015 should not be an excuse for either side to let the present situation in the occupied territories get worse.
Serry stressed the need for restoring the hope for a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict before it is too late, adding that achieving progress in the peace process needs an effective role by the international community.
He noted that the recent legislative steps in Europe towards recognizing a Palestinian state as well as the agreement by the League of Arab States to present to the Security Council a draft resolution setting a time frame for its implementation were important but not a substitute for a genuine peace process recognized by both parties.
He conveyed the UN secretary-general’s hope that the council members would back a meaningful and constructive framework for renewed negotiations instead of giving the Palestinians a time frame for their state.
This came during his speech at the UN Security Council session held on Monday to listen to his report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and other Middle East areas.
Serry expressed hope that the Egyptian authorities could overcome its security issues soon so as to reopen the Rafah border crossing and allow the movement of passengers and goods into and from Gaza.
The UN official also called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities towards the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.
He also warned that the collapse of the ruling coalition in Israel and the scheduling of early elections on March 17, 2015 should not be an excuse for either side to let the present situation in the occupied territories get worse.
Serry stressed the need for restoring the hope for a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict before it is too late, adding that achieving progress in the peace process needs an effective role by the international community.
He noted that the recent legislative steps in Europe towards recognizing a Palestinian state as well as the agreement by the League of Arab States to present to the Security Council a draft resolution setting a time frame for its implementation were important but not a substitute for a genuine peace process recognized by both parties.
He conveyed the UN secretary-general’s hope that the council members would back a meaningful and constructive framework for renewed negotiations instead of giving the Palestinians a time frame for their state.
Hamas representative in Lebanon Ali Baraka stated Monday that the Movement’s 27th anniversary establishes “a new era of Jihad and resistance against the occupation and provides more sacrifices for the liberation of land and holy sites.”
Baraka’s statements came during a festival in commemoration of the Movement’s 27th inception anniversary in presence of Lebanese factions and parties’ representatives and Palestinian national and Islamic factions.
He stressed his Movement’s adherence to national constants and rights, saying that Hamas will continue defending Palestinian land and holy sites despite Israel’s crimes and conspiracies and growing incitement against resistance.
Baraka hailed the ongoing sacrifices made by the Movement’s fighters and leaders, greeting the Palestinian prisoners and resistance members’ steadfastness.
“We are determined to liberate the entire land of Palestine from the river to the sea and from the Galilee to the Negev with Jerusalem as its capital,” he vowed, stressing Hamas’s adherence to the right of return and total rejection of all proposals for an alternative homeland.
He underlined that “Israeli ongoing crimes and violations against Palestinian people and holy places will never succeed in breaking our strong will or imposing a status quo in the region.”
Concerning the negotiations file, Baraka renewed his Movement’s refusal of the ongoing talks led by US Secretary of State John Kerry in the region.
He called on the PA to immediately stop security coordination with the occupation and to endorse a new Palestinian strategy based on resistance and steadfastness.
Hamas’s representative stressed the need for uniting Palestinian national efforts in face of Israeli schemes and crimes.
Regarding the prisoners’ issue, he said that Palestinian detainees and prisoners’ freedom is on the top priorities of his Movement.
"We are ready to make new swap deals for the release of our prisoners in Israeli jails as we have achieved Wafa al-Ahrar deal in 2011", he added.
He also called on the Arab League and the United Nations to intervene immediately for the remove of Israel’s unjust siege on the Gaza Strip and to accelerate its reconstruction.
Baraka confirmed Hamas’s keenness to reinforce its ties with Lebanon, stressing its backing for the Lebanese unity, security, and stability.
Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon should not be used as an arena to settle accounts, he said and denounced, in this respect, the unprecedented media campaign against the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
Hamas's representative in Lebanon urged the Lebanese officials and government to intervene and curb such incitement that aims to drag Palestinians into side battles.
Baraka also called on UNRWA and Lebanese government to accelerate the reconstruction of Nahr el-Bared refugee camp and to facilitate the entry of Palestinian refugees fleeing from the bloody events in Syria.
Baraka’s statements came during a festival in commemoration of the Movement’s 27th inception anniversary in presence of Lebanese factions and parties’ representatives and Palestinian national and Islamic factions.
He stressed his Movement’s adherence to national constants and rights, saying that Hamas will continue defending Palestinian land and holy sites despite Israel’s crimes and conspiracies and growing incitement against resistance.
Baraka hailed the ongoing sacrifices made by the Movement’s fighters and leaders, greeting the Palestinian prisoners and resistance members’ steadfastness.
“We are determined to liberate the entire land of Palestine from the river to the sea and from the Galilee to the Negev with Jerusalem as its capital,” he vowed, stressing Hamas’s adherence to the right of return and total rejection of all proposals for an alternative homeland.
He underlined that “Israeli ongoing crimes and violations against Palestinian people and holy places will never succeed in breaking our strong will or imposing a status quo in the region.”
Concerning the negotiations file, Baraka renewed his Movement’s refusal of the ongoing talks led by US Secretary of State John Kerry in the region.
He called on the PA to immediately stop security coordination with the occupation and to endorse a new Palestinian strategy based on resistance and steadfastness.
Hamas’s representative stressed the need for uniting Palestinian national efforts in face of Israeli schemes and crimes.
Regarding the prisoners’ issue, he said that Palestinian detainees and prisoners’ freedom is on the top priorities of his Movement.
"We are ready to make new swap deals for the release of our prisoners in Israeli jails as we have achieved Wafa al-Ahrar deal in 2011", he added.
He also called on the Arab League and the United Nations to intervene immediately for the remove of Israel’s unjust siege on the Gaza Strip and to accelerate its reconstruction.
Baraka confirmed Hamas’s keenness to reinforce its ties with Lebanon, stressing its backing for the Lebanese unity, security, and stability.
Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon should not be used as an arena to settle accounts, he said and denounced, in this respect, the unprecedented media campaign against the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
Hamas's representative in Lebanon urged the Lebanese officials and government to intervene and curb such incitement that aims to drag Palestinians into side battles.
Baraka also called on UNRWA and Lebanese government to accelerate the reconstruction of Nahr el-Bared refugee camp and to facilitate the entry of Palestinian refugees fleeing from the bloody events in Syria.
Jordan's new UN Ambassador Dina Kawar said Monday that Jordan had not been approached by the Palestinians to press for submitting a draft resolution to the UN Security Council concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
A Palestinian official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said a resolution to the UN Security Council setting a two-year deadline for Israel to end its occupation will be presented on Wednesday.
When questioned on the subject, Kawar said, “No party has contacted us about this issue. I've learned about the news from newspapers.”
Jordan’s UN ambassador said she was awaiting the outcome of meetings that US Secretary of State John Kerry is having with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and European governments on the next step at the United Nations.
Palestinian representative to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said he expected a final version of the draft resolution to be formally submitted to the UNSC, but he did not set a date for that.
France has also been leading talks with Britain and Germany on a separate resolution that would set a two-year deadline for ending negotiations on a final settlement.
A Palestinian official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said a resolution to the UN Security Council setting a two-year deadline for Israel to end its occupation will be presented on Wednesday.
When questioned on the subject, Kawar said, “No party has contacted us about this issue. I've learned about the news from newspapers.”
Jordan’s UN ambassador said she was awaiting the outcome of meetings that US Secretary of State John Kerry is having with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and European governments on the next step at the United Nations.
Palestinian representative to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said he expected a final version of the draft resolution to be formally submitted to the UNSC, but he did not set a date for that.
France has also been leading talks with Britain and Germany on a separate resolution that would set a two-year deadline for ending negotiations on a final settlement.
No statement was released following U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's meeting on Monday evening with the Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu at the headquarters of the Italy-based U.S. embassy.
The meeting was convened as both parties developed their responses to a draft U.N. resolution that would set a delineated timetable for the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
The Israeli Channel 10 said the meeting was held amid an ongoing pressure by Tel Aviv, urging Washington to exercise its Security Council veto against any resolution setting a time-frame requested by the upcoming Palestinian bid to the UN.
Reporters expressed deep disappointment and surprise after none of the two convening parties held a press conference to brief journalists on the findings.
The Israeli radio quoted sources close to the Netanyahu delegation as stating: “There is no reason there should be a change to the U.S. policy, which has always gone up against unilateral procedures forcing Israel to recognize Palestinian statehood.”
Washington is set to urge the Palestinian side to call off the bid expected to be tabled to that end on Wednesday, the sources added.
The meeting was convened as both parties developed their responses to a draft U.N. resolution that would set a delineated timetable for the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
The Israeli Channel 10 said the meeting was held amid an ongoing pressure by Tel Aviv, urging Washington to exercise its Security Council veto against any resolution setting a time-frame requested by the upcoming Palestinian bid to the UN.
Reporters expressed deep disappointment and surprise after none of the two convening parties held a press conference to brief journalists on the findings.
The Israeli radio quoted sources close to the Netanyahu delegation as stating: “There is no reason there should be a change to the U.S. policy, which has always gone up against unilateral procedures forcing Israel to recognize Palestinian statehood.”
Washington is set to urge the Palestinian side to call off the bid expected to be tabled to that end on Wednesday, the sources added.
15 dec 2014
The Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights hailed Switzerland for its intention to host a meeting of signatory states to the Geneva conventions to discuss Israel's violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Euro-Mid observer considered the intended meeting, slated to be held on 17 December, an important step to pressure Israel to respect its obligations as an occupying power under the rules of the international humanitarian law and expressed hope that it would yield effective results.
"We were not surprised by the Israeli decision not to attend the meeting and its call on the member states to boycott it because Israel knows more than anyone the extent of its violation of the Geneva conventions, especially since it has emerged from a harsh war in which it dealt with the civilians in the Gaza Strip in an inhumane way, killing more than 2,100 persons during 50 days," the human rights group underlined.
The rights group appealed to the participating member countries, especially the European signatories, to effectively work on developing mechanisms that could force Israel to abide by the Geneva conventions in the occupied territories and monitor its respect for the international law.
It also called for activating the principle of universal jurisdiction that allows the courts of those states to claim criminal jurisdiction over an accused person regardless of where he or she committed their crime or his or her nationality as long as their country is a party to the conventions.
The Euro-Mid observer considered the intended meeting, slated to be held on 17 December, an important step to pressure Israel to respect its obligations as an occupying power under the rules of the international humanitarian law and expressed hope that it would yield effective results.
"We were not surprised by the Israeli decision not to attend the meeting and its call on the member states to boycott it because Israel knows more than anyone the extent of its violation of the Geneva conventions, especially since it has emerged from a harsh war in which it dealt with the civilians in the Gaza Strip in an inhumane way, killing more than 2,100 persons during 50 days," the human rights group underlined.
The rights group appealed to the participating member countries, especially the European signatories, to effectively work on developing mechanisms that could force Israel to abide by the Geneva conventions in the occupied territories and monitor its respect for the international law.
It also called for activating the principle of universal jurisdiction that allows the courts of those states to claim criminal jurisdiction over an accused person regardless of where he or she committed their crime or his or her nationality as long as their country is a party to the conventions.
The Israeli Yediot Aharonot newspaper said the PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has remained in power on account of his security coordination with the Israeli occupation.
The newspaper said in its editorial that the Palestinians have been reiterating ‘Palestine has fallen part’ and lamenting the breakdown of their dream to establish an independent Palestinian state thanks to their "weak president".
The newspaper called on Abbas to pay back “the great debt” in reference to the security coordination with the Israeli occupation, which represents the nucleus of the Oslo accord.
The editorial pointed out that the Israelis are most concerned with the means to keep Abbas in power and to foil any pressures urging him to step down.
"Hadn’t it been due to security coordination and the role played by the Israeli intelligence agencies in aborting attacks and arresting Hamas affiliates, Abbas would have been overthrown," the newspaper added.
The statement coincided with a mass-arrest campaign launched by the Nablus–based PA intelligence apparatuses against scores of Hamas advocates.
The PIC quoted by-standers at the scene as reporting that a dozen of Hamas-backers were summoned for interrogation in the process.
The PA forces have also reportedly come down heavily on a peaceful pro-Hamas demonstrators while they were waving resistance flags and chanting national slogans to mark the group’s 27th anniversary.
Hamas Movement in Nablus issued a statement on Monday urging the PA to end the policy of political detention and summonses of its cadres and supporters.
The newspaper said in its editorial that the Palestinians have been reiterating ‘Palestine has fallen part’ and lamenting the breakdown of their dream to establish an independent Palestinian state thanks to their "weak president".
The newspaper called on Abbas to pay back “the great debt” in reference to the security coordination with the Israeli occupation, which represents the nucleus of the Oslo accord.
The editorial pointed out that the Israelis are most concerned with the means to keep Abbas in power and to foil any pressures urging him to step down.
"Hadn’t it been due to security coordination and the role played by the Israeli intelligence agencies in aborting attacks and arresting Hamas affiliates, Abbas would have been overthrown," the newspaper added.
The statement coincided with a mass-arrest campaign launched by the Nablus–based PA intelligence apparatuses against scores of Hamas advocates.
The PIC quoted by-standers at the scene as reporting that a dozen of Hamas-backers were summoned for interrogation in the process.
The PA forces have also reportedly come down heavily on a peaceful pro-Hamas demonstrators while they were waving resistance flags and chanting national slogans to mark the group’s 27th anniversary.
Hamas Movement in Nablus issued a statement on Monday urging the PA to end the policy of political detention and summonses of its cadres and supporters.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) said it would go to the UN Security Council next Wednesday to seek a resolution on recognizing Palestine as a state and setting a two-year time frame for a full Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 lines, but it asserted that its security collaboration with Israel would continue.
Member of the Palestine liberation organization (PLO) executive committee Jamil Shehada stated in a press release on Sunday that the PA leadership decided to hold meetings with all parties concerned with the Arab-Palestinian draft resolution at the UN, including France, the representative of the European group at the UNSC.
Shehada affirmed that the PA would submit its statehood bid regardless of the results of these meetings.
He added that the PA would take a further step and sign the Rome Statute to officially join the international criminal court if its statehood bid was not backed by nine UNSC members or vetoed by the US.
The PLO official also said that the PA leadership decided to support the popular resistance in the West Bank immediately and would meet next Tuesday to develop a formula for the execution of this decision.
Member of the Palestine liberation organization (PLO) executive committee Jamil Shehada stated in a press release on Sunday that the PA leadership decided to hold meetings with all parties concerned with the Arab-Palestinian draft resolution at the UN, including France, the representative of the European group at the UNSC.
Shehada affirmed that the PA would submit its statehood bid regardless of the results of these meetings.
He added that the PA would take a further step and sign the Rome Statute to officially join the international criminal court if its statehood bid was not backed by nine UNSC members or vetoed by the US.
The PLO official also said that the PA leadership decided to support the popular resistance in the West Bank immediately and would meet next Tuesday to develop a formula for the execution of this decision.
The Palestinian Authority (P.A.) has officially decided to file an application to the United Nations Security Council, demanding a resolution to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and a clear time-frame for Israel’s withdrawal from all of the Palestinian territories in captured following the 1967 June war, including occupied East Jerusalem.
The P.A. said it would be submitting the resolution following the Tuesday meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and European Union Foreign Ministers.
The Palestinian leadership issued a statement, on Sunday at night, following a meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, affirming the decision, and tasked the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and different P.A institutions, to affirm the Palestinian stances, and moves.
It also decided to reconsider its relations with Israel, including security coordination, and all ties that could jeopardize the Palestinian legitimate rights of liberation and independence.
It called for speeding the formation of an independent international investigation committee to hold Israel accountable for killing Palestinian Minister Ziad Abu Ein, and called for advancing all sorts of nonviolent activities against Israel’s occupation, and its illegitimate colonies in occupied Palestine, including Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to foil any international resolution calling for ending the occupation of all territories Israel captured following the 1967 six-day war.
Netanyahu said he will be holding a meeting with Kerry in Italy, and told his government that he would ask Kerry to reject, and veto, any international resolution in this regard, and dubbed the Palestinian move as “unilateral." He also vowed to "retaliate" to the Palestinian moves.
The P.A. said it would be submitting the resolution following the Tuesday meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and European Union Foreign Ministers.
The Palestinian leadership issued a statement, on Sunday at night, following a meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, affirming the decision, and tasked the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and different P.A institutions, to affirm the Palestinian stances, and moves.
It also decided to reconsider its relations with Israel, including security coordination, and all ties that could jeopardize the Palestinian legitimate rights of liberation and independence.
It called for speeding the formation of an independent international investigation committee to hold Israel accountable for killing Palestinian Minister Ziad Abu Ein, and called for advancing all sorts of nonviolent activities against Israel’s occupation, and its illegitimate colonies in occupied Palestine, including Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to foil any international resolution calling for ending the occupation of all territories Israel captured following the 1967 six-day war.
Netanyahu said he will be holding a meeting with Kerry in Italy, and told his government that he would ask Kerry to reject, and veto, any international resolution in this regard, and dubbed the Palestinian move as “unilateral." He also vowed to "retaliate" to the Palestinian moves.
Member of Hamas's political bureau Mahmoud al-Zahhar said that the Palestinian unity government headed by premier Rami al-Hamdallah was completely unsuccessful and did not assume any of the responsibilities assigned to it.
In a seminar on al-Aqsa satellite channel on Sunday, Zahhar stated that the Palestinian legislative council did not give confidence to the government of Hamdallah because it was already a failed case.
"The duties of the government included holding the elections, achieving the social reconciliation and merging the security apparatuses, but it did not assume the role expected from it and had no political agenda."
The Hamas official stressed that premier Hamdallah is still responsible for activating the role of the government because he is a civil servant working for the Palestinian people and not for Mahmoud Abbas.
Replying to a question about the Movement's stance on Abbas, he said that Abbas is no longer a legitimate president because his term of office had expired a long time ago in accordance with the Palestinian basic law, describing his negotiation approach as abortive.
He added that Abbas does not want to agitate the feelings of the Fatah masses in reaction to the death of Ziyad Abu Ein, one of their top leaders in the West Bank and is keen on maintaining his fait accompli relations with the Israeli occupation government.
As for the reconstruction plan that was presented in Gaza by special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Robert Serry, Zahhar criticized the plan as totally unacceptable and stressed the need for opening all border crossings with Gaza immediately and unconditionally.
He accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) of obstructing the opening of Gaza crossings fully and held it responsible for the suffering of the population there.
He also talked about the Palestinian resistance in the West Bank and said that his Movement is always ready to cooperate with all resistance factions there.
In a seminar on al-Aqsa satellite channel on Sunday, Zahhar stated that the Palestinian legislative council did not give confidence to the government of Hamdallah because it was already a failed case.
"The duties of the government included holding the elections, achieving the social reconciliation and merging the security apparatuses, but it did not assume the role expected from it and had no political agenda."
The Hamas official stressed that premier Hamdallah is still responsible for activating the role of the government because he is a civil servant working for the Palestinian people and not for Mahmoud Abbas.
Replying to a question about the Movement's stance on Abbas, he said that Abbas is no longer a legitimate president because his term of office had expired a long time ago in accordance with the Palestinian basic law, describing his negotiation approach as abortive.
He added that Abbas does not want to agitate the feelings of the Fatah masses in reaction to the death of Ziyad Abu Ein, one of their top leaders in the West Bank and is keen on maintaining his fait accompli relations with the Israeli occupation government.
As for the reconstruction plan that was presented in Gaza by special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Robert Serry, Zahhar criticized the plan as totally unacceptable and stressed the need for opening all border crossings with Gaza immediately and unconditionally.
He accused the Palestinian Authority (PA) of obstructing the opening of Gaza crossings fully and held it responsible for the suffering of the population there.
He also talked about the Palestinian resistance in the West Bank and said that his Movement is always ready to cooperate with all resistance factions there.
As thousands of Palestinians took to Gaza Streets to mark Hamas’s 27th anniversary, the group reassured the masses that no single bet laid on toppling Hamas shall ever see the day.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a terse statement delivered on Sunday evening: “Al-Qassam parades proved to everybody that Netanyahu is the biggest loser.”
“All gambles taken on draining Hamas and its armed wing shall remain as un-achievable as mere shots in the moon,” he added.
Hundreds of resistance fighters of the Izz-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, marched through Gaza streets, parading home-made rockets and displaying a host of truck-mounted missiles.
Historiographers said the parade is laden with tacit messages, saying it is high time the Israeli occupation drew the intended implications and departed the occupied Palestinian territories once and for all.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a terse statement delivered on Sunday evening: “Al-Qassam parades proved to everybody that Netanyahu is the biggest loser.”
“All gambles taken on draining Hamas and its armed wing shall remain as un-achievable as mere shots in the moon,” he added.
Hundreds of resistance fighters of the Izz-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, marched through Gaza streets, parading home-made rockets and displaying a host of truck-mounted missiles.
Historiographers said the parade is laden with tacit messages, saying it is high time the Israeli occupation drew the intended implications and departed the occupied Palestinian territories once and for all.
Hamas’s Khalil al-Hayya vowed that the Palestinian resistance will try out every possible means to unshackle the occupied Palestinian territories from Israel’s hegemonic grips, as thousands of people took to Gaza streets to mark the group’s 27th anniversary.
Addressing a large audience during the group’s military parade on Sunday, al-Hayya said: “We will do whatever it takes to activate the role of resistance across Palestine. Our brothers and sisters from all national factions will join us in our fight for freedom.”
“Gaza shall remain the harbinger of all landslide victories and the citadel of resistance.”
He said the time has come by when Hamas can decipher the pictograms of the Israeli occupation and propagate the findings across the globe.
Addressing the Palestinian prisoners locked-up at the Israeli occupation jails Hayya said: “Soon we will be teaching the Israeli enemy how to abide by all accords.”
He reiterated Hamas’s commitment to preserve the typically Islamic character of the history and geography of occupied Palestine, declaring: “Every inch of Palestinian is ours. Every single refugee has the right to come back to his/her native soil.”
Israel’s intents to disarm Hamas shall never see the day, he further pledged, saying: “Our people have always stood their grounds and rallied around their resistance fighters all along the four wars waged against them.”
“Al-Qassam’s resistance arsenal is inestimable,” he said. “The progress undergone by Hamas does not just come out of the blue. It is the fruit of the sacrifices offered by our martyrs and casualties,” he concluded as he paid homage to the legendary Palestinian people and resistance fighters.
Addressing a large audience during the group’s military parade on Sunday, al-Hayya said: “We will do whatever it takes to activate the role of resistance across Palestine. Our brothers and sisters from all national factions will join us in our fight for freedom.”
“Gaza shall remain the harbinger of all landslide victories and the citadel of resistance.”
He said the time has come by when Hamas can decipher the pictograms of the Israeli occupation and propagate the findings across the globe.
Addressing the Palestinian prisoners locked-up at the Israeli occupation jails Hayya said: “Soon we will be teaching the Israeli enemy how to abide by all accords.”
He reiterated Hamas’s commitment to preserve the typically Islamic character of the history and geography of occupied Palestine, declaring: “Every inch of Palestinian is ours. Every single refugee has the right to come back to his/her native soil.”
Israel’s intents to disarm Hamas shall never see the day, he further pledged, saying: “Our people have always stood their grounds and rallied around their resistance fighters all along the four wars waged against them.”
“Al-Qassam’s resistance arsenal is inestimable,” he said. “The progress undergone by Hamas does not just come out of the blue. It is the fruit of the sacrifices offered by our martyrs and casualties,” he concluded as he paid homage to the legendary Palestinian people and resistance fighters.