27 dec 2014
Khaled Mishaal, the political bureau chairman of Hamas, is to visit Tehran, Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdullahian said on Saturday.
Abdullahian affirmed in a statement to the Iranian Fars news agency that relations between Iran and Hamas never ceased.
He would not determine a specific date for the visit, however, saying that it would be declared later on.
The assistant foreign minister affirmed that resistance is the secret of the Palestinian people’s victory, reiterating Tehran’s backing for the Palestinian people’s rights.
Abdullahian underlined that Iran and the Islamic countries would never leave the oppressed Palestinian people alone, adding that the resistance of Hamas and Islamic Jihad is the Palestinian people’s hope in deterring the “Zionist aggressors”.
Abdullahian affirmed in a statement to the Iranian Fars news agency that relations between Iran and Hamas never ceased.
He would not determine a specific date for the visit, however, saying that it would be declared later on.
The assistant foreign minister affirmed that resistance is the secret of the Palestinian people’s victory, reiterating Tehran’s backing for the Palestinian people’s rights.
Abdullahian underlined that Iran and the Islamic countries would never leave the oppressed Palestinian people alone, adding that the resistance of Hamas and Islamic Jihad is the Palestinian people’s hope in deterring the “Zionist aggressors”.
Khaled Mishaal, the political bureau chairman of Hamas Movement, attended on Saturday the fifth general congress of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development party.
Mishaal arrived at the hall where the congress is convening, in the central Turkish city of Qonya, amidst applause of party members, some of whom chanted “Down with Israel” and “Welcome Mujahid Mishaal”.
Turkish premier and leader of the party Ahmet Davutoğlu is expected to arrive at the hall later this evening.
Mishaal arrived at the hall where the congress is convening, in the central Turkish city of Qonya, amidst applause of party members, some of whom chanted “Down with Israel” and “Welcome Mujahid Mishaal”.
Turkish premier and leader of the party Ahmet Davutoğlu is expected to arrive at the hall later this evening.
Member of Hamas political bureau Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk called on the Palestinian Authority to reveal the amendments added to the Palestinian draft resolution submitted to the UN Security Council.
"It is not enough to say that there are eight amendments added to the UN draft resolution. Our people have the right to know these amendments", Abu Marzouk wrote on his Facebook page.
He expressed surprise that the draft resolution was not submitted to the PLO leadership before being submitted to the UN Security Council.
The PA had submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state. The UN draft resolution, which was tabled by Jordan on behalf of the PA, was amended more than once.
PLO official Saeb Erekat announced that eight amendments were made to the Palestinian draft resolution that will be submitted to UN Security Council for voting on Monday.
Speaking to al-Arabia TV channel, Erekat threatened that the PA would join 15 international treaties and agreements especially the International Criminal Court (Rome statute) in case the vote was not in favor of the draft resolution.
Erekat had earlier said that the vote would take place before the end of 2014.
Among the central amendments made to the proposal were: First to emphasize that the future capital of the Palestinian state is to be located in Jerusalem, and Second the immediate release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails within two years.
Many Palestinian Islamic and national parties, including Hamas and Jihad movements, PFLP and DFLP factions, the Palestinian Initiative party, and the detained Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi, have declared their rejection to the Palestinian draft resolution “cause it ignores the Palestinian rights and constants".
"It is not enough to say that there are eight amendments added to the UN draft resolution. Our people have the right to know these amendments", Abu Marzouk wrote on his Facebook page.
He expressed surprise that the draft resolution was not submitted to the PLO leadership before being submitted to the UN Security Council.
The PA had submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state. The UN draft resolution, which was tabled by Jordan on behalf of the PA, was amended more than once.
PLO official Saeb Erekat announced that eight amendments were made to the Palestinian draft resolution that will be submitted to UN Security Council for voting on Monday.
Speaking to al-Arabia TV channel, Erekat threatened that the PA would join 15 international treaties and agreements especially the International Criminal Court (Rome statute) in case the vote was not in favor of the draft resolution.
Erekat had earlier said that the vote would take place before the end of 2014.
Among the central amendments made to the proposal were: First to emphasize that the future capital of the Palestinian state is to be located in Jerusalem, and Second the immediate release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails within two years.
Many Palestinian Islamic and national parties, including Hamas and Jihad movements, PFLP and DFLP factions, the Palestinian Initiative party, and the detained Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi, have declared their rejection to the Palestinian draft resolution “cause it ignores the Palestinian rights and constants".
26 dec 2014
On the 27th anniversary of Hamas Movement’s inception, the Palestinian Information Center interviews Top Hamas Official, Ezzat Al-Resheq.
- Hamas was founded to relieve the suffering of Palestinians and to resist the occupation
- Al-Qassam Brigades proved that Hamas can fight Israel with what little they have
- Hamas looks positively to being removed from the EU terror list
- Hamas seeks good local and regional and international relations
- Hamas has been creative and productive politically, socially, militarily
- Hamas is committed to freeing Palestine and Palestinian prisoners
- Unity Government is not acting enough to help Gaza
- Hamas is here to stay—to resist and to help build Palestine.
Actions speak louder than words:
Ezzat al-Resheq, political bureau member of Hamas, stated that Hamas has been following the way of actions rather than talking since the Movement was first established in 1987. He said that when Hamas sends messages in certain events, it expresses the resistance path that the Movement has been following such as “losses it has been inflicting on the Israeli occupation”.
Assuring that Hamas would adhere to the resistance ideology, Resheq said that Hamas would not spare any effort in defending Palestine as long as the Israeli occupation still exists on the Palestinian lands and holds thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
He pointed out that resistance unites the Palestinian people together, which has been obvious throughout the last three Israeli aggressions on the Gaza Strip. “This irritates those conspiring against Palestine, its people, and its rights; yet all their attempts would go with the winds since they, and their objectives and techniques –whether political or media–, are exposed to the Palestinian people,” Resheq confirmed.
Indirect talks with Israel: truce and prisoners’ deal
Resheq said that Hamas has the adequate experience to run any prisoners’ swap deal that honors the Palestinian people and keeps the vow for which the Palestinian martyrs and injured have sacrificed. “Hamas has many bargaining chips that would enable it to firmly take hold of the Palestinian rights out of this criminal occupier.”
Resheq confirmed that there have been no talks in Cairo since Israel informed Egypt it wanted to delay the Gaza truce talks. Yet, he expected some changes as the Israeli government has been through a real dilemma since Netanyahu launched the last Israeli aggression. “Sooner or later, the Israeli government is expected to demand the resumption of the negotiations in this regard,” he added
Al-Qassam Brigades
Resheq, talking about the latest videos of infiltration shared by Al-Qassam Brigades, affirmed that the Palestinian resistance, namely Al-Qassam Brigades, would stay in this path. He said that the Palestinian factions’ armed wings are always developing and improving their weapons and techniques in order to surprise the Israeli occupation with what it has never heard of.
“The videos increase the internal division among the Israeli political parties, destroy the myth of the Israeli “invincible army, and expose the lies of the Israeli military.”
“Our resistance to Israel’s occupation and aggressions has not stopped. However, we believe that victory comes when there is patience and continuous preparation on all levels whether political, military, media, cultural, or educational,” he added.
Resheq said he knew the Palestinian military abilities are incomparable with the Israelis’, yet the Palestinian resistance has what the Israeli army has never had: Allah, tenacity and sacrifice.
Hamas Removed from EU terror List:
The Hamas official believes that the Palestinians ought to exploit the European parliaments’ symbolic recognition of Palestine and the removal of Hamas from the EU terrorism list to help in highlighting the Palestinian cause in all the international platforms and organizations.
Resheq stated, “In resisting against the Israeli occupation, we never overlook the international dimension of our cause. These recognitions, even if only symbolic, help expose Israel’s terrorism against the Palestinian people and increase its international isolation.”
Resheq criticized America’s complicity in Israel’s crimes against Palestine. “Any fair and objective observer of the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people would take the Palestinian victims’ side in their call for their rights to live freely on their land,” he added.
Hamas and Iran:
Commenting on Hamas visit to Tehran and the many thanks Al-Qassam Brigades sent from Gaza to Iran, Resheq emphasized that Hamas seeks good relations with all. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has good relations with Hamas regardless of the latest lack of mutual work that resulted from some regional crises; we managed to overcome this misunderstanding and to prioritize the mutual concern against the Israeli Zionist project.”
Unity Government:
Resheq pointed out the two priorities the unity government has to “wholeheartedly” work on: reconstruction of Gaza Strip and the opening of the borders in order to relieve the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip and the employees who have not got their salaries.
“The reconciliation government is the government of the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Jerusalem. Its denial of its duties in the Strip is unjustified and it deepens the national division.”
Resheq considers the new government’s negligence of Gaza Strip “a negative message from President Abbas visi-a-vis the national reconciliation.”
“However, Hamas shall work with all the Palestinian parties in order to prevent any possible deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip,” he added
Will Hamas run in the next elections?
Asked if Hamas is willing to take part in any coming Palestinian elections, Resheq reminded that Hamas won a landslide victory in the elections in 2006, which proved that the Palestinian people adhered more to the resistance option. “That’s why the path Hamas follows is the path the Palestinian people prefers. Hamas went through the elections only for the sake of helping the Palestinian people and keeping their resistance by avoiding any deviation from the Palestinian national project of resistance.”
Resheq lamented the fact that almost the whole world stood against the will of Palestinians bringing death and siege as punishment for their democratic choice. “We cannot describe the period since Hamas won the elections in 2006 until now as a normal period. It is unfair to say that Hamas practiced government as it has been confronted with boycott, siege, and aggression from all sides.”
Resheq added that Hamas is still adhering to its principles and will not spare any means that would enable it to accomplish its objectives of resistance. “The elections may be one means although we are still under occupation. We showed readiness for taking part in the elections with confidence that the Palestinian people would favor and support the resistance.”
Hamas: survival of the fittest
“The resistance path Hamas chose to free the land and to resist the occupier has never been smooth,” Resheq opined, adding, “It is a rough and complicated path in which Hamas lost its founder and its best leaders; Hamas, however, is still sacrificing for the sake of defeating the occupier and helping the Palestinians live free on their own land.”
However, he believed that the siege, restrictions, and distortions may have an impact for a while but they cannot last.
Resheq stated Hamas started fighting the occupier with stones and bare chests and now it manufactured drones and managed to surprise the occupier from land, air and sea. It is a productive Movement on both the human resources level and the military creativity level. These two combined could deter the occupier each time, terrify it— and win,” he concluded in an afterthought.
- Hamas was founded to relieve the suffering of Palestinians and to resist the occupation
- Al-Qassam Brigades proved that Hamas can fight Israel with what little they have
- Hamas looks positively to being removed from the EU terror list
- Hamas seeks good local and regional and international relations
- Hamas has been creative and productive politically, socially, militarily
- Hamas is committed to freeing Palestine and Palestinian prisoners
- Unity Government is not acting enough to help Gaza
- Hamas is here to stay—to resist and to help build Palestine.
Actions speak louder than words:
Ezzat al-Resheq, political bureau member of Hamas, stated that Hamas has been following the way of actions rather than talking since the Movement was first established in 1987. He said that when Hamas sends messages in certain events, it expresses the resistance path that the Movement has been following such as “losses it has been inflicting on the Israeli occupation”.
Assuring that Hamas would adhere to the resistance ideology, Resheq said that Hamas would not spare any effort in defending Palestine as long as the Israeli occupation still exists on the Palestinian lands and holds thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
He pointed out that resistance unites the Palestinian people together, which has been obvious throughout the last three Israeli aggressions on the Gaza Strip. “This irritates those conspiring against Palestine, its people, and its rights; yet all their attempts would go with the winds since they, and their objectives and techniques –whether political or media–, are exposed to the Palestinian people,” Resheq confirmed.
Indirect talks with Israel: truce and prisoners’ deal
Resheq said that Hamas has the adequate experience to run any prisoners’ swap deal that honors the Palestinian people and keeps the vow for which the Palestinian martyrs and injured have sacrificed. “Hamas has many bargaining chips that would enable it to firmly take hold of the Palestinian rights out of this criminal occupier.”
Resheq confirmed that there have been no talks in Cairo since Israel informed Egypt it wanted to delay the Gaza truce talks. Yet, he expected some changes as the Israeli government has been through a real dilemma since Netanyahu launched the last Israeli aggression. “Sooner or later, the Israeli government is expected to demand the resumption of the negotiations in this regard,” he added
Al-Qassam Brigades
Resheq, talking about the latest videos of infiltration shared by Al-Qassam Brigades, affirmed that the Palestinian resistance, namely Al-Qassam Brigades, would stay in this path. He said that the Palestinian factions’ armed wings are always developing and improving their weapons and techniques in order to surprise the Israeli occupation with what it has never heard of.
“The videos increase the internal division among the Israeli political parties, destroy the myth of the Israeli “invincible army, and expose the lies of the Israeli military.”
“Our resistance to Israel’s occupation and aggressions has not stopped. However, we believe that victory comes when there is patience and continuous preparation on all levels whether political, military, media, cultural, or educational,” he added.
Resheq said he knew the Palestinian military abilities are incomparable with the Israelis’, yet the Palestinian resistance has what the Israeli army has never had: Allah, tenacity and sacrifice.
Hamas Removed from EU terror List:
The Hamas official believes that the Palestinians ought to exploit the European parliaments’ symbolic recognition of Palestine and the removal of Hamas from the EU terrorism list to help in highlighting the Palestinian cause in all the international platforms and organizations.
Resheq stated, “In resisting against the Israeli occupation, we never overlook the international dimension of our cause. These recognitions, even if only symbolic, help expose Israel’s terrorism against the Palestinian people and increase its international isolation.”
Resheq criticized America’s complicity in Israel’s crimes against Palestine. “Any fair and objective observer of the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people would take the Palestinian victims’ side in their call for their rights to live freely on their land,” he added.
Hamas and Iran:
Commenting on Hamas visit to Tehran and the many thanks Al-Qassam Brigades sent from Gaza to Iran, Resheq emphasized that Hamas seeks good relations with all. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has good relations with Hamas regardless of the latest lack of mutual work that resulted from some regional crises; we managed to overcome this misunderstanding and to prioritize the mutual concern against the Israeli Zionist project.”
Unity Government:
Resheq pointed out the two priorities the unity government has to “wholeheartedly” work on: reconstruction of Gaza Strip and the opening of the borders in order to relieve the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip and the employees who have not got their salaries.
“The reconciliation government is the government of the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Jerusalem. Its denial of its duties in the Strip is unjustified and it deepens the national division.”
Resheq considers the new government’s negligence of Gaza Strip “a negative message from President Abbas visi-a-vis the national reconciliation.”
“However, Hamas shall work with all the Palestinian parties in order to prevent any possible deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip,” he added
Will Hamas run in the next elections?
Asked if Hamas is willing to take part in any coming Palestinian elections, Resheq reminded that Hamas won a landslide victory in the elections in 2006, which proved that the Palestinian people adhered more to the resistance option. “That’s why the path Hamas follows is the path the Palestinian people prefers. Hamas went through the elections only for the sake of helping the Palestinian people and keeping their resistance by avoiding any deviation from the Palestinian national project of resistance.”
Resheq lamented the fact that almost the whole world stood against the will of Palestinians bringing death and siege as punishment for their democratic choice. “We cannot describe the period since Hamas won the elections in 2006 until now as a normal period. It is unfair to say that Hamas practiced government as it has been confronted with boycott, siege, and aggression from all sides.”
Resheq added that Hamas is still adhering to its principles and will not spare any means that would enable it to accomplish its objectives of resistance. “The elections may be one means although we are still under occupation. We showed readiness for taking part in the elections with confidence that the Palestinian people would favor and support the resistance.”
Hamas: survival of the fittest
“The resistance path Hamas chose to free the land and to resist the occupier has never been smooth,” Resheq opined, adding, “It is a rough and complicated path in which Hamas lost its founder and its best leaders; Hamas, however, is still sacrificing for the sake of defeating the occupier and helping the Palestinians live free on their own land.”
However, he believed that the siege, restrictions, and distortions may have an impact for a while but they cannot last.
Resheq stated Hamas started fighting the occupier with stones and bare chests and now it manufactured drones and managed to surprise the occupier from land, air and sea. It is a productive Movement on both the human resources level and the military creativity level. These two combined could deter the occupier each time, terrify it— and win,” he concluded in an afterthought.
The Palestinian Affairs Center in Britain launched a campaign calling for overthrowing the Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and prosecuting him on the backdrops of his “bargains” on Palestinians’ rights.
The center called on Palestinians to sign a petition, lodged Friday, saying this is the least one can do to thwart all attempts at transforming Palestinians’ cause and rights into bargaining chips and as a means to pressure the national factions to rescind Abbas’s legitimacy.
The petition spoke out against Abbas as a pioneer of concessions who has always put Palestinians’ rights up for sale, including their inalienable land rights and right of return.
The petition pointed out Abbas’s anti-patriotic stances exhibited in the smear campaigns he has always launched against the Palestinian resistance.
Abbas has stood as a stumbling block before the liberation of Occupied Jerusalem, the appeal further read.
Abbas has always had a hand in blockading Gazans and tightening the noose around their necks. He has tried by all means to abort international moves against the Israeli occupation as was the case with the Goldstone report and the United Nations Council for Human Rights, the petition proceeded.
It further denounced Abbas’s security coordination with the Israeli occupation and his incitements against the Gaza Strip.
The campaign called on Palestinians to endorse the petition posted on the center’s website, urging the masses to break their fear and translate their choices into actions.
The center called on Palestinians to sign a petition, lodged Friday, saying this is the least one can do to thwart all attempts at transforming Palestinians’ cause and rights into bargaining chips and as a means to pressure the national factions to rescind Abbas’s legitimacy.
The petition spoke out against Abbas as a pioneer of concessions who has always put Palestinians’ rights up for sale, including their inalienable land rights and right of return.
The petition pointed out Abbas’s anti-patriotic stances exhibited in the smear campaigns he has always launched against the Palestinian resistance.
Abbas has stood as a stumbling block before the liberation of Occupied Jerusalem, the appeal further read.
Abbas has always had a hand in blockading Gazans and tightening the noose around their necks. He has tried by all means to abort international moves against the Israeli occupation as was the case with the Goldstone report and the United Nations Council for Human Rights, the petition proceeded.
It further denounced Abbas’s security coordination with the Israeli occupation and his incitements against the Gaza Strip.
The campaign called on Palestinians to endorse the petition posted on the center’s website, urging the masses to break their fear and translate their choices into actions.
25 dec 2014
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, slammed the Palestinian statehood resolution that was presented to the UN Security Council last week.
Talking to Hayat FM, Dr. Baghouti said the draft resolution lodged with the UNSC has come as an excuse, by the PA, to avoid joining the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He said the PA did not present the measure for consultation with other parties before it was brought to the Security Council.
Dr. Barghouti said joining the ICC after signing the Rome Statute has become imperative in the wake of the notorious Israeli offensive on Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Jihad movement on Wednesday said the bid does not meet the political aspirations of the Palestinian people as it makes unjustified concessions on their rights, lands, tenets, and sanctuaries.
The movement slammed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for advertising the recognition of Palestinian statehood and the establishment of an independent state on “scraps of land” as historic landslides and historic scoops never to be missed.
“The very hub of the resolution and its wording is based on the condition to never anger the U.S. and the Israeli occupation,“ the statement read.
The movement pointed out that at closer examination the draft resolution does not ensure Israel’s withdrawal to the pre-1967 lines and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on that basis; it rather calls for holding negotiations to that end.
The movement criticized the PA’s readiness to conduct land swaps with the Israeli occupation, saying this would undermine the Palestinian right to self-determination and would give Israel enough room to exploit the concept of land swaps to legalize settlement.
The Islamic Jihad voiced opposition to the document’s wording on Jerusalem, which says that the city should be the capital of two states.
The statement expressed disappointment over projected concessions set to be made on Palestinians’ inalienable right of return, as implied by the resolution.
The movement further criticized the timeframe set for ending the Israeli occupation (by 2017), saying this would only give the latter more time to perpetrate its settlement agendas and finalize its Judaization plots at one fell swoop.
The Islamic Jihad said an appeal to the UNSC is no more than another episode in the series of concessions made the one after the other without fruits to be ultimately reaped by the Palestinian people.
Talking to Hayat FM, Dr. Baghouti said the draft resolution lodged with the UNSC has come as an excuse, by the PA, to avoid joining the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He said the PA did not present the measure for consultation with other parties before it was brought to the Security Council.
Dr. Barghouti said joining the ICC after signing the Rome Statute has become imperative in the wake of the notorious Israeli offensive on Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Jihad movement on Wednesday said the bid does not meet the political aspirations of the Palestinian people as it makes unjustified concessions on their rights, lands, tenets, and sanctuaries.
The movement slammed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for advertising the recognition of Palestinian statehood and the establishment of an independent state on “scraps of land” as historic landslides and historic scoops never to be missed.
“The very hub of the resolution and its wording is based on the condition to never anger the U.S. and the Israeli occupation,“ the statement read.
The movement pointed out that at closer examination the draft resolution does not ensure Israel’s withdrawal to the pre-1967 lines and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on that basis; it rather calls for holding negotiations to that end.
The movement criticized the PA’s readiness to conduct land swaps with the Israeli occupation, saying this would undermine the Palestinian right to self-determination and would give Israel enough room to exploit the concept of land swaps to legalize settlement.
The Islamic Jihad voiced opposition to the document’s wording on Jerusalem, which says that the city should be the capital of two states.
The statement expressed disappointment over projected concessions set to be made on Palestinians’ inalienable right of return, as implied by the resolution.
The movement further criticized the timeframe set for ending the Israeli occupation (by 2017), saying this would only give the latter more time to perpetrate its settlement agendas and finalize its Judaization plots at one fell swoop.
The Islamic Jihad said an appeal to the UNSC is no more than another episode in the series of concessions made the one after the other without fruits to be ultimately reaped by the Palestinian people.
24 dec 2014
Member of Hamas's political bureau Saleh Aruri said that the escalating resistance activities in the West Bank is a normal situation and reflects that the Palestinian people will not yield and give up their right to resist the occupation.
In an interview with al-Aqsa satellite channel on Tuesday evening, Aruri stated that Israel's Knesset election that would be held ahead of schedule and the collapse of its government coalition are the direct results of its last war on the Gaza Strip and its growing concern over the outbreak of a new uprising in the West Bank.
He charged that the Israeli occupation uses the blood of the Palestinian people as electoral chips.
As for the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN, the Hamas official accused Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas of hijacking the strategic decision-making that concerns the fate of all Palestinians and ignoring the national consensus that rejected his draft resolution at the UN.
In an interview with al-Aqsa satellite channel on Tuesday evening, Aruri stated that Israel's Knesset election that would be held ahead of schedule and the collapse of its government coalition are the direct results of its last war on the Gaza Strip and its growing concern over the outbreak of a new uprising in the West Bank.
He charged that the Israeli occupation uses the blood of the Palestinian people as electoral chips.
As for the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN, the Hamas official accused Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas of hijacking the strategic decision-making that concerns the fate of all Palestinians and ignoring the national consensus that rejected his draft resolution at the UN.
President Mahmoud Abbas, on Tuesday, said that the Palestinian Authority will cut ties with the Israeli government if a draft resolution, presented last week to the United Nations, fails to pass.
Speaking to reporters in Algeria, Abbas said that if the UN Security Council resolution fails the leadership will be forced to take the "necessary political and legal decisions," Algerian Press Service reported.
"In case of failure, we will no more deal with the Israeli government which will then be obliged to assume its responsibilities as an occupier," Abbas was quoted to say by the agency.
Abbas said that Palestine will "ultimately regain its independence" with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not succumb to "Israeli hegemony and oppression."
Ma'an News Agency further reports that Mr. Abbas met his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Monday, during an official three-day visit.
Jordan presented the draft resolution last week to the UN Security Council on behalf of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
The resolution sets a 12-month deadline for wrapping up negotiations on a final settlement, with the end of 2017 as a deadline for completing an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territories.
A final peace deal would pave the way to the creation of a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as a shared capital, according to the text of the draft.
PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said, on Tuesday, that the UN Security Council would vote on the draft text before the end of 2014, although a set date has yet to be agreed upon.
Furthermore, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine has urged Palestinian leadership to "immediately withdraw" the draft resolution, arguing that the leadership is presenting a confusing picture of the bid.
Speaking to reporters in Algeria, Abbas said that if the UN Security Council resolution fails the leadership will be forced to take the "necessary political and legal decisions," Algerian Press Service reported.
"In case of failure, we will no more deal with the Israeli government which will then be obliged to assume its responsibilities as an occupier," Abbas was quoted to say by the agency.
Abbas said that Palestine will "ultimately regain its independence" with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not succumb to "Israeli hegemony and oppression."
Ma'an News Agency further reports that Mr. Abbas met his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Monday, during an official three-day visit.
Jordan presented the draft resolution last week to the UN Security Council on behalf of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
The resolution sets a 12-month deadline for wrapping up negotiations on a final settlement, with the end of 2017 as a deadline for completing an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territories.
A final peace deal would pave the way to the creation of a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as a shared capital, according to the text of the draft.
PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said, on Tuesday, that the UN Security Council would vote on the draft text before the end of 2014, although a set date has yet to be agreed upon.
Furthermore, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine has urged Palestinian leadership to "immediately withdraw" the draft resolution, arguing that the leadership is presenting a confusing picture of the bid.
Member of Hamas's political bureau Ezzat al-Resheq criticized the attempts of the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership along with international and regional parties to extract a UN resolution on Palestine without consulting the national action factions.
In facebook remarks on Tuesday, Resheq emphasized that any such PA-Arab political moves at the UN is against the national consensus and non-binding for the Palestinian people.
"Hijacking fateful decisions belonging to all Palestinians by Fatah and the Palestinian Authority does not serve the national project and will rather strengthen the division, not to mention that it will not receive popular consent," the Hamas official underlined.
"The insistence of the Palestinian Authority on pursuing the approach that has already proven its failure is like chasing a mirage and a repeat of a previous experience that has failed to protect the land and the [national] constants and to achieve the aspirations [of the Palestinian people]," he added.
"The failure of the Palestinian Authority to use the strength factors that the Palestinian people possess in any international move to defend the lands and rights is like someone going to the battle with no weapon."
In facebook remarks on Tuesday, Resheq emphasized that any such PA-Arab political moves at the UN is against the national consensus and non-binding for the Palestinian people.
"Hijacking fateful decisions belonging to all Palestinians by Fatah and the Palestinian Authority does not serve the national project and will rather strengthen the division, not to mention that it will not receive popular consent," the Hamas official underlined.
"The insistence of the Palestinian Authority on pursuing the approach that has already proven its failure is like chasing a mirage and a repeat of a previous experience that has failed to protect the land and the [national] constants and to achieve the aspirations [of the Palestinian people]," he added.
"The failure of the Palestinian Authority to use the strength factors that the Palestinian people possess in any international move to defend the lands and rights is like someone going to the battle with no weapon."
23 dec 2014
The Hamas Movement categorically denied the Palestinian Authority's allegation that it had ended its security collaboration with Israel, affirming that its political arrests in the West Bank escalated more than before.
"The security coordination itself is based on taking measures necessary for protecting the occupation's security and eliminating any chance for the resistance to emerge in the West Bank, and the Palestinian Authority apparatuses have not ceased to pursue such policy since it was established on the basis of the Oslo agreement in 1993," spokesman for the Movement Husam Badran stated on Monday.
"Such practices made the Palestinian Authority lose its credibility before its people and look like an entity that was hired to do certain tasks for the occupation," the spokesman added.
"The security coordination itself is based on taking measures necessary for protecting the occupation's security and eliminating any chance for the resistance to emerge in the West Bank, and the Palestinian Authority apparatuses have not ceased to pursue such policy since it was established on the basis of the Oslo agreement in 1993," spokesman for the Movement Husam Badran stated on Monday.
"Such practices made the Palestinian Authority lose its credibility before its people and look like an entity that was hired to do certain tasks for the occupation," the spokesman added.
The Hamas Movement has expressed its rejection of any political formula detracting an iota from the Palestinian rights and constants, especially with regard to the land, Jerusalem and the right of return.
The Movement warned the PA of responding to pressures from international and regional parties that seek under different pretexts to impose a resolution formula going against the Palestinian constants and rights, and reiterated its rejection of the attempts to restart another round of "frivolous" peace talks with the Israeli occupation.
It stressed that any such sensitive political moves must not be taken unilaterally by the PA and it must receive a national consensus.
This came in response to the Palestinian statehood bid that was submitted recently to the UN Security Council by Jordan at the request of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The resolution project was amended by France before it was submitted to the UNSC and it was not the one originally drafted by the PA and the League of Arab states.
Further consultations are said to be underway between the PA leadership and international and regional parties to make more changes to it.
For its part, the Palestinian National Initiative said that the draft resolution submitted by the PA to the UNSC is weak and does not meet the Palestinian aspirations.
In a press release on Monday, the Initiative stated that the Palestinian statehood move at the UN is mainly aimed at reviving the peace talks between the PA and Israel.
It emphasized that the statehood bid, which was submitted in the name of the Palestinians and Arabs to the UNSC after it was amended due to political pressures, included several serious drawbacks that would undermine the nationally agreed-upon Palestinian demands, positions and constants.
It said that the formula of the draft resolution did not clearly call for the establishment of the Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital and the recognition of the legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle against the occupation.
The Movement warned the PA of responding to pressures from international and regional parties that seek under different pretexts to impose a resolution formula going against the Palestinian constants and rights, and reiterated its rejection of the attempts to restart another round of "frivolous" peace talks with the Israeli occupation.
It stressed that any such sensitive political moves must not be taken unilaterally by the PA and it must receive a national consensus.
This came in response to the Palestinian statehood bid that was submitted recently to the UN Security Council by Jordan at the request of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The resolution project was amended by France before it was submitted to the UNSC and it was not the one originally drafted by the PA and the League of Arab states.
Further consultations are said to be underway between the PA leadership and international and regional parties to make more changes to it.
For its part, the Palestinian National Initiative said that the draft resolution submitted by the PA to the UNSC is weak and does not meet the Palestinian aspirations.
In a press release on Monday, the Initiative stated that the Palestinian statehood move at the UN is mainly aimed at reviving the peace talks between the PA and Israel.
It emphasized that the statehood bid, which was submitted in the name of the Palestinians and Arabs to the UNSC after it was amended due to political pressures, included several serious drawbacks that would undermine the nationally agreed-upon Palestinian demands, positions and constants.
It said that the formula of the draft resolution did not clearly call for the establishment of the Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital and the recognition of the legitimacy of the Palestinian struggle against the occupation.
A mural depicts Marwan Barghouti at the Israeli Qalandiya checkpoint, between Jerusalem and Ramallah on July 25, 2014
Jailed Fateh leader Marwan Barghouhti has criticized the UN resolution submitted to the Security Council by the PLO, urging the Palestinian leadership to reword the proposal.
In a letter received by Ma'an News Agency, from jail, Barghouti said that the UN resolution is an "unjustified fallback which will have a very negative impact on the Palestinian position."
He says he has always urged the leadership to take the question of Palestine to the UN to obtain a security council resolution, but any proposal must be in-line with inalienable national principles.
Barghouti further urged leadership to comprehensively revise the wording of the draft resolution to focus on the major issues of settlement expansion, Jerusalem, prisoners, and the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
He added that any talk of land swaps will weaken the Palestinian right to self-determination and a sovereign state on Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, noting that such a measure would be used to legalize settlement building.
Mr. Barghouti said that the PA must also confirm that settlements are illegal, war crimes, and must be removed.
Leadership must also demand that currently occupied East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine, in addition to insisting on the right for Palestinian refugees to return to their former homes in Israel, in line with UN General Assembly resolution 194.
The leader also criticized the draft resolution for not including the issue of Palestinian detainees:
"Though the issue of prisoners isn't part of the final status core issues, it should be confirmed in any resolution that freeing all prisoners is an absolute right and a precondition for peace."
The draft resolution, he says, should also include an immediate demand to end the "crippling siege" imposed on Gaza, especially after the "massacres" committed against the Palestinian people this summer.
See 12/22/14 Gaza: Israel Has Committed Genocide, says EU Delegation
"We must stop negotiating with ourselves uselessly," he added.
Ma'an further reports that Barghouti is currently serving five life sentences for alleged involvement in attacks on Israeli targets.
A senior figure within the Fateh, he was arrested in 2002 and sentenced two years later.
Jailed Fateh leader Marwan Barghouhti has criticized the UN resolution submitted to the Security Council by the PLO, urging the Palestinian leadership to reword the proposal.
In a letter received by Ma'an News Agency, from jail, Barghouti said that the UN resolution is an "unjustified fallback which will have a very negative impact on the Palestinian position."
He says he has always urged the leadership to take the question of Palestine to the UN to obtain a security council resolution, but any proposal must be in-line with inalienable national principles.
Barghouti further urged leadership to comprehensively revise the wording of the draft resolution to focus on the major issues of settlement expansion, Jerusalem, prisoners, and the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
He added that any talk of land swaps will weaken the Palestinian right to self-determination and a sovereign state on Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, noting that such a measure would be used to legalize settlement building.
Mr. Barghouti said that the PA must also confirm that settlements are illegal, war crimes, and must be removed.
Leadership must also demand that currently occupied East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine, in addition to insisting on the right for Palestinian refugees to return to their former homes in Israel, in line with UN General Assembly resolution 194.
The leader also criticized the draft resolution for not including the issue of Palestinian detainees:
"Though the issue of prisoners isn't part of the final status core issues, it should be confirmed in any resolution that freeing all prisoners is an absolute right and a precondition for peace."
The draft resolution, he says, should also include an immediate demand to end the "crippling siege" imposed on Gaza, especially after the "massacres" committed against the Palestinian people this summer.
See 12/22/14 Gaza: Israel Has Committed Genocide, says EU Delegation
"We must stop negotiating with ourselves uselessly," he added.
Ma'an further reports that Barghouti is currently serving five life sentences for alleged involvement in attacks on Israeli targets.
A senior figure within the Fateh, he was arrested in 2002 and sentenced two years later.
Palestinian foreign minister Dr. Riyad al-Maliki says that Palestinian leadership has rejected US Secretary of State John Kerry's proposal of bumping the Palestinian resolution bid for statehood post Israeli elections.
The Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports that, according to Dr. Maliki, Kerry tried to convince Palestinian leaders, during talks last week, to delay the presentation of the proposal before the United Nations Security Council, saying that it would harm Israeli elections.
Senior PA officials stated, this past weekend, that they were under heavy pressure not to request a vote on the resolution at the UN.
On the other hand, PNN reports that previous Justice minister and Israeli chief negotiator, Tzipi Livni, asked Kerry to delay the bid for statehood, alleging that it supports the right.
However, right-wing politicians Netanyahu and Bennett, Saturday, reportedly blasted Livni for asking Kerry to delay the bid, accusing Livni and Hertzog of being two-faced and being concerned for their own interest.
Palestinian leadership, on Monday, announced changes to the statehood bid, which includes the placement of currently occupied East Jerusalem as the fundamental capital, and basing the state on the 1967 borders.
Changes included halting any Israeli provocative actions including successive attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque compound and the continued desecration of Christian and Muslim holy sites.
Adjustments were also reportedly applied to the issue lands under threat of Israeli seizure and other attacks.
The Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports that, according to Dr. Maliki, Kerry tried to convince Palestinian leaders, during talks last week, to delay the presentation of the proposal before the United Nations Security Council, saying that it would harm Israeli elections.
Senior PA officials stated, this past weekend, that they were under heavy pressure not to request a vote on the resolution at the UN.
On the other hand, PNN reports that previous Justice minister and Israeli chief negotiator, Tzipi Livni, asked Kerry to delay the bid for statehood, alleging that it supports the right.
However, right-wing politicians Netanyahu and Bennett, Saturday, reportedly blasted Livni for asking Kerry to delay the bid, accusing Livni and Hertzog of being two-faced and being concerned for their own interest.
Palestinian leadership, on Monday, announced changes to the statehood bid, which includes the placement of currently occupied East Jerusalem as the fundamental capital, and basing the state on the 1967 borders.
Changes included halting any Israeli provocative actions including successive attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque compound and the continued desecration of Christian and Muslim holy sites.
Adjustments were also reportedly applied to the issue lands under threat of Israeli seizure and other attacks.
Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahhar dubbed Abbas’s push for a UN resolution to end the Israeli occupation within a specific timeframe an attempt to “cover up a political failure in the peace process.”
Zahhar told the PIC Monday that Abbas’s endeavors are a waste of time and signs that the peace negotiations have reached a deadlock.
According to Zahhar, the pursuits lately adopted by Abbas testify to the latter’s vain attempt to legitimize the validity of his agenda.
“However reality proves that the peace process has seen mere breakdown all the way through the last 20 years,” he said.
“Unfortunately Abbas is acting like a child who thinks that by placing his/her doll in another place it will change for the better,” he added.
A draft resolution to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine by 2017 has been recently put forth by The Arab Group in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority.
The resolution, reportedly amended and modified upon more than one occasion, has stirred controversy among Palestinian national factions, who said the move does not live up to Palestinians’ aspirations and rights.
Media sources reported the PA’s potential agreement, under pressure from the U.S. administration, on delaying the vote on the Jordan-lodged bid with the UN Security Council to end the occupation until after Israel’s elections.
Zahhar told the PIC Monday that Abbas’s endeavors are a waste of time and signs that the peace negotiations have reached a deadlock.
According to Zahhar, the pursuits lately adopted by Abbas testify to the latter’s vain attempt to legitimize the validity of his agenda.
“However reality proves that the peace process has seen mere breakdown all the way through the last 20 years,” he said.
“Unfortunately Abbas is acting like a child who thinks that by placing his/her doll in another place it will change for the better,” he added.
A draft resolution to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine by 2017 has been recently put forth by The Arab Group in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority.
The resolution, reportedly amended and modified upon more than one occasion, has stirred controversy among Palestinian national factions, who said the move does not live up to Palestinians’ aspirations and rights.
Media sources reported the PA’s potential agreement, under pressure from the U.S. administration, on delaying the vote on the Jordan-lodged bid with the UN Security Council to end the occupation until after Israel’s elections.
22 dec 2014
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) called Sunday for a comprehensive and urgent national dialogue to discuss the Palestinian UN draft resolution to end occupation within two years.
In its statement issued Sunday, the DFLP expressed concern over the new amendments made to the Arab-backed draft resolution that might threaten the Palestinian cause and rights.
Amendments related to Jerusalem, refugees' right of return, settlements, and other issues have been introduced on the resolution which might turn it from a draft resolution to end occupation to a draft resolution for negotiation expansion, according to the statement.
The DFLP renewed calls for “holding of a comprehensive national dialogue at the Supreme National Committee (Supreme Committee for activating and developing the PLO) to agree on a unified strategy acceptable to all parties.”
For its part, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) declared its rejection of the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution submitted Thursday to the UN Security Council for the recognition of a Palestinian state by 2017.
The PFLP said that the draft resolution contradicts with the Palestinian national program based on the right of return, self-determination, and an independent state with full sovereignty over its lands captured in 1967 with occupied Jerusalem as its capital.
The PFLP called on the PLO Executive Committee to bear its responsibilities in maintaining the rights of the Palestinian people.
In the same context, the EuroPal Forum warned of the Palestinian Arab-backed draft resolution to end Israeli occupation of the Palestinian lands captured in 1967.
The London-based forum charged that the UN draft resolution provides legitimacy to Israeli occupation on Palestinian lands and threatens Palestinian resistance and legitimate rights for free.
On December 17, Jordan submitted an Arab-backed draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for ending Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands occupied in 1967 no later than the end of 2017.
In its statement issued Sunday, the DFLP expressed concern over the new amendments made to the Arab-backed draft resolution that might threaten the Palestinian cause and rights.
Amendments related to Jerusalem, refugees' right of return, settlements, and other issues have been introduced on the resolution which might turn it from a draft resolution to end occupation to a draft resolution for negotiation expansion, according to the statement.
The DFLP renewed calls for “holding of a comprehensive national dialogue at the Supreme National Committee (Supreme Committee for activating and developing the PLO) to agree on a unified strategy acceptable to all parties.”
For its part, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) declared its rejection of the Palestinian-Arab draft resolution submitted Thursday to the UN Security Council for the recognition of a Palestinian state by 2017.
The PFLP said that the draft resolution contradicts with the Palestinian national program based on the right of return, self-determination, and an independent state with full sovereignty over its lands captured in 1967 with occupied Jerusalem as its capital.
The PFLP called on the PLO Executive Committee to bear its responsibilities in maintaining the rights of the Palestinian people.
In the same context, the EuroPal Forum warned of the Palestinian Arab-backed draft resolution to end Israeli occupation of the Palestinian lands captured in 1967.
The London-based forum charged that the UN draft resolution provides legitimacy to Israeli occupation on Palestinian lands and threatens Palestinian resistance and legitimate rights for free.
On December 17, Jordan submitted an Arab-backed draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for ending Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands occupied in 1967 no later than the end of 2017.