18 dec 2014
The European parliament on Wednesday adopted a resolution recognizing Palestine as a state in principle. A total of 498 members voted in favor, while 88 were against and 111 abstained.
The motion reiterated the European parliament's support for the two-state solution "on the basis of the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital of both states and with a secure Israeli state and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security on the basis of the right of self-determination and full respect of international law.
The motion also stressed the importance of solidifying the authority of the Palestinian unity government and urged all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, to contribute to healing the internal rift.
It called on the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs to work on crystallizing a common position within the union on this matter.
The motion reiterated the European parliament's support for the two-state solution "on the basis of the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as the capital of both states and with a secure Israeli state and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security on the basis of the right of self-determination and full respect of international law.
The motion also stressed the importance of solidifying the authority of the Palestinian unity government and urged all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, to contribute to healing the internal rift.
It called on the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs to work on crystallizing a common position within the union on this matter.
A Palestinian-Arab U.N. draft resolution demanding the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, including east East Jerusalem, by November 2016, was tabled with the UN Security Council.
Israeli withdrawal must begin “as rapidly as possible and to be fully completed within a specified time-frame, not to exceed November 2016, and the achievement of the independence and sovereignty of the State of Palestine and the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people,” the text of the document reads.
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on the bid sometime in the near future.
Following is the text of the Draft Resolution
(17 December 2014)
Reaffirming its previous resolutions, in particular resolutions 242 (1967); 338 (1973), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003), 1544 (2004), 1850 (2008), 1860 (2009) and the Madrid Principles,
Reiterating its vision of a region where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders,
Reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 181 (II) of 29 November 1947,
Reaffirming the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and recalling its resolutions 446 (1979), 452 (1979) and 465 (1980), determining, inter alia, that the policies and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East,
Affirming the imperative of resolving the problem of the Palestine refugees on the basis of international law and relevant resolutions, including resolution 194 (III), as stipulated in the Arab Peace Initiative,
Underlining that the Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, and calling for a sustainable solution to the situation in the Gaza Strip, including the sustained and regular opening of its border crossings for normal flow of persons and goods, in accordance with international humanitarian law,
Welcoming the important progress in Palestinian state-building efforts recognized by the World Bank and the IMF in 2012 and reiterating its call to all States and international organizations to contribute to the Palestinian institution building program in preparation for independence,
Reaffirming that a just, lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on an enduring commitment to mutual recognition, freedom from violence, incitement and terror, and the two-State solution, building on previous agreements and obligations and stressing that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement that ends the occupation that began in 1967, resolves all permanent status issues as previously defined by the parties, and fulfills the legitimate aspirations of both parties,
Condemning all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism, and reminding all States of their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001),
Recalling the obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and ensure their protection in situations of armed conflict,
Reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,
Noting with appreciation the efforts of the United States in 2013/14 to facilitate and advance negotiations between the parties aimed at achieving a final peace settlement,
Aware of its responsibilities to help secure a long-term solution to the conflict,
1. Affirms the urgent need to attain, no later than 12 months after the adoption of this resolution, a just, lasting and comprehensive peaceful solution that brings an end to the Israeli occupation since 1967 and fulfills the vision of two independent, democratic and prosperous states, Israel and a sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security within mutually and internationally recognized borders;
2. Decides that the negotiated solution will be based on the following parameters:
• borders based on 4 June 1967 lines with mutually agreed, limited, equivalent land swaps ;
• security arrangements, including through a third-party presence, that guarantee and respect the sovereignty of a State of Palestine, including through a full and phased withdrawal of Israeli security forces which will end the occupation that began in 1967 over an agreed transition period in a reasonable timeframe, not to exceed the end of 2017, and that ensure the security of both Israel and Palestine through effective border security and by preventing the resurgence of terrorism and effectively addressing security threats, including emerging and vital threats in the region.
• A just and agreed solution to the Palestine refugee question on the basis of Arab Peace Initiative, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including resolution 194 (III);
• Jerusalem as the shared capital of the two States which fulfills the legitimate aspirations of both parties and protects freedom of worship;
• an agreed settlement of other outstanding issues, including water;
3. Recognizes that the final status agreement shall put an end to the occupation and an end to all claims and lead to immediate mutual recognition;
4. Affirms that the definition of a plan and schedule for implementing the security arrangements shall be placed at the center of the negotiations within the framework established by this resolution;
5. Looks forward to welcoming Palestine as a full Member State of the United Nations within the time-frame defined in the present resolution;
6. Urges both parties to engage seriously in the work of building trust and to act together in the pursuit of peace by negotiating in good faith and refraining from all acts of incitement and provocative acts or statements, and also calls upon all States and international organizations to support the parties in confidence-building measures and to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to negotiations;
7. Calls upon all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949;
8. Encourages concurrent efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace in the region, which would unlock the full potential of neighborly relations in the Middle East and reaffirms in this regard the importance of the full implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative;
9. Calls for a renewed negotiation framework that ensures the close involvement, alongside the parties, of major stakeholders to help the parties reach an agreement within the established time-frame and implement all aspects of the final status, including through the provision of political support as well as tangible support for post-conflict and peace-building arrangements, and welcomes the proposition to hold an international conference that would launch the negotiations;
10. Calls upon both parties to abstain from any unilateral and illegal actions, including settlement activities, that could undermine the viability of a two-State solution on the basis of the parameters defined in this resolution;
11. Calls for immediate efforts to redress the unsustainable situation in the Gaza Strip, including through the provision of expanded humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population via the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and other United Nations agencies and through serious efforts to address the underlying issues of the crisis, including consolidation of the ceasefire between the parties;
12. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of this resolution every three months;
13. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Israeli withdrawal must begin “as rapidly as possible and to be fully completed within a specified time-frame, not to exceed November 2016, and the achievement of the independence and sovereignty of the State of Palestine and the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people,” the text of the document reads.
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on the bid sometime in the near future.
Following is the text of the Draft Resolution
(17 December 2014)
Reaffirming its previous resolutions, in particular resolutions 242 (1967); 338 (1973), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003), 1544 (2004), 1850 (2008), 1860 (2009) and the Madrid Principles,
Reiterating its vision of a region where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders,
Reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 181 (II) of 29 November 1947,
Reaffirming the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and recalling its resolutions 446 (1979), 452 (1979) and 465 (1980), determining, inter alia, that the policies and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East,
Affirming the imperative of resolving the problem of the Palestine refugees on the basis of international law and relevant resolutions, including resolution 194 (III), as stipulated in the Arab Peace Initiative,
Underlining that the Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, and calling for a sustainable solution to the situation in the Gaza Strip, including the sustained and regular opening of its border crossings for normal flow of persons and goods, in accordance with international humanitarian law,
Welcoming the important progress in Palestinian state-building efforts recognized by the World Bank and the IMF in 2012 and reiterating its call to all States and international organizations to contribute to the Palestinian institution building program in preparation for independence,
Reaffirming that a just, lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on an enduring commitment to mutual recognition, freedom from violence, incitement and terror, and the two-State solution, building on previous agreements and obligations and stressing that the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement that ends the occupation that began in 1967, resolves all permanent status issues as previously defined by the parties, and fulfills the legitimate aspirations of both parties,
Condemning all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism, and reminding all States of their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001),
Recalling the obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and ensure their protection in situations of armed conflict,
Reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,
Noting with appreciation the efforts of the United States in 2013/14 to facilitate and advance negotiations between the parties aimed at achieving a final peace settlement,
Aware of its responsibilities to help secure a long-term solution to the conflict,
1. Affirms the urgent need to attain, no later than 12 months after the adoption of this resolution, a just, lasting and comprehensive peaceful solution that brings an end to the Israeli occupation since 1967 and fulfills the vision of two independent, democratic and prosperous states, Israel and a sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security within mutually and internationally recognized borders;
2. Decides that the negotiated solution will be based on the following parameters:
• borders based on 4 June 1967 lines with mutually agreed, limited, equivalent land swaps ;
• security arrangements, including through a third-party presence, that guarantee and respect the sovereignty of a State of Palestine, including through a full and phased withdrawal of Israeli security forces which will end the occupation that began in 1967 over an agreed transition period in a reasonable timeframe, not to exceed the end of 2017, and that ensure the security of both Israel and Palestine through effective border security and by preventing the resurgence of terrorism and effectively addressing security threats, including emerging and vital threats in the region.
• A just and agreed solution to the Palestine refugee question on the basis of Arab Peace Initiative, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including resolution 194 (III);
• Jerusalem as the shared capital of the two States which fulfills the legitimate aspirations of both parties and protects freedom of worship;
• an agreed settlement of other outstanding issues, including water;
3. Recognizes that the final status agreement shall put an end to the occupation and an end to all claims and lead to immediate mutual recognition;
4. Affirms that the definition of a plan and schedule for implementing the security arrangements shall be placed at the center of the negotiations within the framework established by this resolution;
5. Looks forward to welcoming Palestine as a full Member State of the United Nations within the time-frame defined in the present resolution;
6. Urges both parties to engage seriously in the work of building trust and to act together in the pursuit of peace by negotiating in good faith and refraining from all acts of incitement and provocative acts or statements, and also calls upon all States and international organizations to support the parties in confidence-building measures and to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to negotiations;
7. Calls upon all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949;
8. Encourages concurrent efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace in the region, which would unlock the full potential of neighborly relations in the Middle East and reaffirms in this regard the importance of the full implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative;
9. Calls for a renewed negotiation framework that ensures the close involvement, alongside the parties, of major stakeholders to help the parties reach an agreement within the established time-frame and implement all aspects of the final status, including through the provision of political support as well as tangible support for post-conflict and peace-building arrangements, and welcomes the proposition to hold an international conference that would launch the negotiations;
10. Calls upon both parties to abstain from any unilateral and illegal actions, including settlement activities, that could undermine the viability of a two-State solution on the basis of the parameters defined in this resolution;
11. Calls for immediate efforts to redress the unsustainable situation in the Gaza Strip, including through the provision of expanded humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population via the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and other United Nations agencies and through serious efforts to address the underlying issues of the crisis, including consolidation of the ceasefire between the parties;
12. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of this resolution every three months;
13. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Head of Hamas's political bureau Khaled Mishaal welcomed the European court of justice's legal verdict to remove his Movement from the European Union's terror list as "a step in the right direction" and "a correction to a previous mistake."
In press remarks to Middle East Monitor news website, Mishaal stated that putting Hamas on the EU's list of terrorist organizations had never been based on objective facts and violated the international law, which stipulated the right of nations to resist the occupation of their countries.
He added that it would be in the interest of the EU to harmonize itself with the international law away from Israel's misleading pressures on the international community.
The Hamas official urged the leaders and governments of the European Union to accept and respect their court's decision and take brave political measures necessary for removing Hamas from their official lists of terrorist groups in compliance with the European values of justice and law, and the Palestinian people's right to resist the occupation.
He expressed hope that all international powers, including the US, would take the lead in rectifying their mistaken positions on Hamas, which resulted from Israeli pressures.
Mishaal highlighted that since the foundation of his Movement 27 years ago, its legitimate struggle has been confined to the resistance of the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories.
He stressed that the resistance is a natural right for the Palestinian people and all nations under foreign occupation, adding that this right is fully compatible with all religious and international laws and the history of western and eastern countries that fought against occupying forces.
In press remarks to Middle East Monitor news website, Mishaal stated that putting Hamas on the EU's list of terrorist organizations had never been based on objective facts and violated the international law, which stipulated the right of nations to resist the occupation of their countries.
He added that it would be in the interest of the EU to harmonize itself with the international law away from Israel's misleading pressures on the international community.
The Hamas official urged the leaders and governments of the European Union to accept and respect their court's decision and take brave political measures necessary for removing Hamas from their official lists of terrorist groups in compliance with the European values of justice and law, and the Palestinian people's right to resist the occupation.
He expressed hope that all international powers, including the US, would take the lead in rectifying their mistaken positions on Hamas, which resulted from Israeli pressures.
Mishaal highlighted that since the foundation of his Movement 27 years ago, its legitimate struggle has been confined to the resistance of the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories.
He stressed that the resistance is a natural right for the Palestinian people and all nations under foreign occupation, adding that this right is fully compatible with all religious and international laws and the history of western and eastern countries that fought against occupying forces.
Palestinian lawmaker Mushir al-Masri said that the Palestinian Authority
(PA) must end its security collaboration with the Israeli occupation
and give the Palestinian resistance a free hand to defend its people in
the West Bank.
"The security coordination is the real strategic threat to the national liberation project and the unity of the Palestinian people, so it is time for the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to lift its heavy hand from the resistance and the revolution of the West Bank people," MP Masri stated in an audio recording of his speech during a ceremony held on Wednesday at Birzeit university to mark the 27th anniversary of the Hamas Movement.
The Hamas-affiliated lawmaker reiterated his Movement's commitment to the liberation of the Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
"We like to say to the prisoners in Israeli jails that their liberation will not be long and will come soon, God willing, in the second Wafa al-Ahrar deal, which will be greater than the previous one."
"The Hamas Movement has been adherent to the [national] rights and constants and will continue to protect them, untouched by positions and political posts. It is counting on the Palestinian youth, which is the mainstay of the future and its shining hope," the lawmaker said.
He also hailed the West Bank and Jerusalem young men for igniting the first spark of the third intifada in defense of the Aqsa Mosque and denounced Israel's violations in the holy city and its attempts to Judaize its history and dismember the West Bank.
"The security coordination is the real strategic threat to the national liberation project and the unity of the Palestinian people, so it is time for the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to lift its heavy hand from the resistance and the revolution of the West Bank people," MP Masri stated in an audio recording of his speech during a ceremony held on Wednesday at Birzeit university to mark the 27th anniversary of the Hamas Movement.
The Hamas-affiliated lawmaker reiterated his Movement's commitment to the liberation of the Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
"We like to say to the prisoners in Israeli jails that their liberation will not be long and will come soon, God willing, in the second Wafa al-Ahrar deal, which will be greater than the previous one."
"The Hamas Movement has been adherent to the [national] rights and constants and will continue to protect them, untouched by positions and political posts. It is counting on the Palestinian youth, which is the mainstay of the future and its shining hope," the lawmaker said.
He also hailed the West Bank and Jerusalem young men for igniting the first spark of the third intifada in defense of the Aqsa Mosque and denounced Israel's violations in the holy city and its attempts to Judaize its history and dismember the West Bank.
17 dec 2014
Member of Hamas’s political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk considered the European Union's intention to remove Hamas from its terrorism blacklist as a new victory for the Palestinian people and resistance and freedom supporters all over the world.
"We call on all those who oppressed our people and accused our resistance movements with terrorism to reevaluate their positions", he wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday night.
Hamas was arbitrarily added to the EU's list of terror organizations in 2003. Today, the European Court of Justice ruled to remove Hamas Movement from the EU terror list because the previous decision was illegal and does not commensurate with the EU laws, Abu Marzouk added, expressing his appreciation for the court's decision.
Israeli Channel 10 reported Tuesday that the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg is set to publish its decision on Wednesday regarding an appeal filed by Hamas against its inclusion in the European Union's list of terrorist organizations.
According to predictions by Israel and the European Union, the court is expected to accept the appeal and remove Hamas from the blacklist on the grounds that the process to declare Hamas as a terror organization was conducted against EU procedures and does not include sufficient legal evidence to brand Hamas a terror organization.
Despite the fact that it is a non-binding decision; it would be, none the less, a strong slap for Israel, the sources added.
EU court annuls decision to list Hamas as terrorist group
The European Union’s Human Rights court has annulled a previous decision that listed Hamas Movement as a terrorist organization.
The decision was passed after four years of tabling a petition, by a number of European political figures and pro-Palestine organizations in the continent, saying that the EU did not pursue the standard procedures when it put Hamas on the list of terror organizations.
The ruling was passed on Wednesday following successive sessions on the issue that started last February.
European sources recently intimated that the decision would be taken to allow for direct contacts between European officials and Hamas.
The court postponed implementing the ruling for three months to allow for the EU commission or one of the EU's 28 member states to petition the decision.
Political analyst Husam Shaker, however, ruled out that possibility, adding that there is a general atmosphere in the continent that the court ruling had relieved the European countries from the fix it put itself in by listing Hamas as a terrorist group.
For his part, political bureau member of Hamas Ezzet al-Resheq tweeted that the court decision is "a legal victory for Palestinian rights."
He welcomed the court decision, adding, “The decision rights an injustice done to the Hamas Movement, which is a national liberation movement."
"We call on all those who oppressed our people and accused our resistance movements with terrorism to reevaluate their positions", he wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday night.
Hamas was arbitrarily added to the EU's list of terror organizations in 2003. Today, the European Court of Justice ruled to remove Hamas Movement from the EU terror list because the previous decision was illegal and does not commensurate with the EU laws, Abu Marzouk added, expressing his appreciation for the court's decision.
Israeli Channel 10 reported Tuesday that the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg is set to publish its decision on Wednesday regarding an appeal filed by Hamas against its inclusion in the European Union's list of terrorist organizations.
According to predictions by Israel and the European Union, the court is expected to accept the appeal and remove Hamas from the blacklist on the grounds that the process to declare Hamas as a terror organization was conducted against EU procedures and does not include sufficient legal evidence to brand Hamas a terror organization.
Despite the fact that it is a non-binding decision; it would be, none the less, a strong slap for Israel, the sources added.
EU court annuls decision to list Hamas as terrorist group
The European Union’s Human Rights court has annulled a previous decision that listed Hamas Movement as a terrorist organization.
The decision was passed after four years of tabling a petition, by a number of European political figures and pro-Palestine organizations in the continent, saying that the EU did not pursue the standard procedures when it put Hamas on the list of terror organizations.
The ruling was passed on Wednesday following successive sessions on the issue that started last February.
European sources recently intimated that the decision would be taken to allow for direct contacts between European officials and Hamas.
The court postponed implementing the ruling for three months to allow for the EU commission or one of the EU's 28 member states to petition the decision.
Political analyst Husam Shaker, however, ruled out that possibility, adding that there is a general atmosphere in the continent that the court ruling had relieved the European countries from the fix it put itself in by listing Hamas as a terrorist group.
For his part, political bureau member of Hamas Ezzet al-Resheq tweeted that the court decision is "a legal victory for Palestinian rights."
He welcomed the court decision, adding, “The decision rights an injustice done to the Hamas Movement, which is a national liberation movement."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned that Washington will veto a proposed Palestinian resolution to end the Israeli occupation at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.
According to Palestinian sources, Kerry said at a meeting with the top Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, that America will veto the bid.
Palestinians are set to press ahead Wednesday with a UN bid to boost their hopes of statehood, despite a warning that the U.S. will block the move, officials said.
Kerry has held three days of intense talks in Europe seeking to head off such a resolution with the UN Security Council.
Erekat reportedly told Kerry that Palestinians would go ahead as planned, receiving a sharp warning from the U.S. official that his administration would veto the resolution.
In an escalating battle of wills, the chief Palestinian negotiator shot back that if Washington uses its veto to scupper their plans, the Palestinians would then seek membership in a series of international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.
“Palestinians have nothing else to lose,” Erekat added. “We’ve already seen it all with the Israeli occupation,” he said in reference to the terror tactics, land misappropriation, desecration break-ins, assassination of Palestinian officials, house demolitions, and abduction campaigns launched against the Palestinian people and leadership.
According to Palestinian sources, Kerry said at a meeting with the top Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, that America will veto the bid.
Palestinians are set to press ahead Wednesday with a UN bid to boost their hopes of statehood, despite a warning that the U.S. will block the move, officials said.
Kerry has held three days of intense talks in Europe seeking to head off such a resolution with the UN Security Council.
Erekat reportedly told Kerry that Palestinians would go ahead as planned, receiving a sharp warning from the U.S. official that his administration would veto the resolution.
In an escalating battle of wills, the chief Palestinian negotiator shot back that if Washington uses its veto to scupper their plans, the Palestinians would then seek membership in a series of international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.
“Palestinians have nothing else to lose,” Erekat added. “We’ve already seen it all with the Israeli occupation,” he said in reference to the terror tactics, land misappropriation, desecration break-ins, assassination of Palestinian officials, house demolitions, and abduction campaigns launched against the Palestinian people and leadership.
Hamas representative in Tehran Khalid Qaddoumi said the unity of the entire Muslim nation and their everlasting back-up of the Palestinian resistance are the key to the liberation of every inch of the occupied Palestinian soil.
Addressing the audience at the inaugural speech of the “Spark of Stones” poetry symposium staged Monday in Tehran, Qaddoumi said: “The Israeli entity is an outcast. . . . There is no single room left in Palestine for such an alien entity. Israelis have to depart the region, once and for all.”
“Each and every single inch of Palestine’s soil is sacred. This is a red-line for Hamas,” he said. “There is no such a thing as Eastern and Western Jerusalem. Our historical Jerusalem is just indivisible. There is no space for the Israeli colonizers.”
He stressed the key socio-cultural role played by poetry, just like any other art form, in reverberating the wounds and tears shed along the history of colonized and traumatized nations.
“When it comes to a Palestinian intifada (uprising) and resistance, poetry and art sort themselves out within the framework of a culturally and artistically cohesive school of thought,” he added.
“The literature of resistance dates back to the holy epoch of Prophet Mohamed, Peace Be Upon Him, when some of his most talented companions recited verses on the value of self-abnegation and the true meaning of Jihad,” the statement proceeded.
According to Qaddoumi, the achievements of Hamas and the other Palestinian resistance factions have positioned the Palestinian revolution on the right track.
He reiterated the group’s commitment to armed resistance as the one and only possible means to liberate the Palestinian soil, saying the word and the sword are just inseparable when it comes to Palestinians’ fight for freedom.
The Hamas representatives called on Muslims everywhere across the globe to pool resources to liberate Palestine and remain aloof from the narrow boundaries of sectarianism and dissension.
Addressing the audience at the inaugural speech of the “Spark of Stones” poetry symposium staged Monday in Tehran, Qaddoumi said: “The Israeli entity is an outcast. . . . There is no single room left in Palestine for such an alien entity. Israelis have to depart the region, once and for all.”
“Each and every single inch of Palestine’s soil is sacred. This is a red-line for Hamas,” he said. “There is no such a thing as Eastern and Western Jerusalem. Our historical Jerusalem is just indivisible. There is no space for the Israeli colonizers.”
He stressed the key socio-cultural role played by poetry, just like any other art form, in reverberating the wounds and tears shed along the history of colonized and traumatized nations.
“When it comes to a Palestinian intifada (uprising) and resistance, poetry and art sort themselves out within the framework of a culturally and artistically cohesive school of thought,” he added.
“The literature of resistance dates back to the holy epoch of Prophet Mohamed, Peace Be Upon Him, when some of his most talented companions recited verses on the value of self-abnegation and the true meaning of Jihad,” the statement proceeded.
According to Qaddoumi, the achievements of Hamas and the other Palestinian resistance factions have positioned the Palestinian revolution on the right track.
He reiterated the group’s commitment to armed resistance as the one and only possible means to liberate the Palestinian soil, saying the word and the sword are just inseparable when it comes to Palestinians’ fight for freedom.
The Hamas representatives called on Muslims everywhere across the globe to pool resources to liberate Palestine and remain aloof from the narrow boundaries of sectarianism and dissension.
Hamas said it would back-up a Palestinian bid to be lodged to the UN Security Council, to set a delineated timetable for the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, provided that the move gains national consensus.
The group would support any “political move” that lives up to Palestinians' needs on condition that it is formulated with national agreement and after due consultations, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement, quoted by the Anadolu News Agency, in response to the move initiated by the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The Palestinian Authority is expected to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council demanding the end of the Israeli occupation by November 2016.
Earlier, in mid-October, a draft resolution had been circulated among the member-states of the UN Security Council as a means to set the stage for the official submission.
The group would support any “political move” that lives up to Palestinians' needs on condition that it is formulated with national agreement and after due consultations, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement, quoted by the Anadolu News Agency, in response to the move initiated by the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The Palestinian Authority is expected to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council demanding the end of the Israeli occupation by November 2016.
Earlier, in mid-October, a draft resolution had been circulated among the member-states of the UN Security Council as a means to set the stage for the official submission.
