On his way to the top. Ismail Haniyeh (left) in Gaza
Photo: AFP
Abbas: Oslo Agreement binding
New chapter in Middle East history begins: 132 members of new Palestinian Legislative Council, 74 of them Hamas members, sworn in Saturday; PA chairman says Hamas to form new government, to be committed to past deals with Israel
RAMALLAH – A new chapter in the history of the Middle East has begun: Members of the new Palestinian Legislative Council, most of them Hamas members, were sworn in Saturday. Their names were read one by one, and each replied by saying "I swear."
Addressing the new parliament, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said that "the elections have created a new political situation."
He declared that he would ask Hamas to form the new government, but reminded the next prime minister that the Oslo agreement and a series of understandings with Israel are binding, as well as all the commitments accepted by the two sides as part of the Road Map, on the road to an independent Palestinian state living in full and just peace with Israel.
'I swear' (Photo: AFP)
In a long speech, Abbas stressed that the most important and urgent thing is to prevent chaos in the PA and secure personal safety in the streets. An appropriate education system should be provided to the next generations, he said, as well as a development of the economy, by coordinating with the international community.
"We are a state, meaning an authority that respects itself, "Abbas declared, and was applauded by the audience. He called on Israel, Washington and Europe not to turn Hamas' victory into an excuse for economic sanctions on the PA.
Abbas promised to guarantee individual and minority rights in the PA, as well as the freedom of action of all civil organizations.
"The Palestinian citizens – Muslims and Christians – are equal in the face of the law," he said.
He spoke about the need for an open education system, that will include "moderate and modern" study materials. He also said that he would "not rest" until the circumstances of former PA Chairman Yasser Arafat's death become clear.
Hamas rejects Abbas' call
"Continuing the occupation, the exploitation, the fence building, the settlements in the West Bank and the oppression in Jerusalem only perpetuates the despair and distances us from peace," Abbas said.
He blasted the unilateral moves and the idea of a temporary state.
"The road to security passes only through just peace, not through military solutions," he added, directly addressing Israeli voters.
Abbas ended his speech with appeasing remarks toward Israel and the world, promising that the Palestinians would fulfill their commitments.
Hamas later rejected Abbas' call to respect a commitment to peacemaking with Israel and pursue only peaceful struggle.
"Hamas rejects negotiations with the occupation under the current circumstances, while occupation and aggression continues," Said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.
"We re-emphasise the commitment to (armed) resistance as a natural right of our people," he added.
Sheikh Ahmed Mubarak told Ynet that "we will hold a dialogue with the PA chairman in a bid to reach common grounds. There are points that still require discussion with the presidential institution."
Referring to the "strategic choice of peace", Sheikh Mubarak said that "we are not against peace; we are in favor of achieving our rights, and our stance is clear – the occupation must withdraw from the lands, agree to the return of refugees, release prisoners, evacuate settlements, and after all that – we will reach a long-term 'hudna' (calm)."
The first speaker during the parliament session was outgoing Parliament Chairman Rauhi Fattouh. He was followed by Salim Zanun, chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council, who swore in the Palestinian lawmakers, most of them newcomers, by reading their names one by one.
'PLO in charge of foreign affairs'
Zanun said that only the PLO is responsible for running the Palestinian Authority's foreign relations.
"The Oslo Agreement was signed between Rabin and Araft, and thereby the foreign policy is run by the PLO. The parliament is responsible for internal legislation," he explained.
A commotion erupted after Zanun offended Hassan Khreishe, a parliament member who left Fatah and became an independent member supported by Hamas, by saying that he filled a negative role (a "terrorist," in his words) in the outgoing parliament.
Zanun stressed the need for a joint office that will unite the Hamas-led parliament and Fatah's presidency. He said that the Legislative Council should be above all.
He cited the Quran verse on Prophet Muhammad's night journey from Mecca to the al-Aqsa Mosque. He then described the historical developments that led to the establishment of the Legislative Council, and told the attendees how former PA Chairman Yasser Arafat instructed the Council to use the word "Israelis" instead of "Jews."
Zanun repeated the principles set by the interim council in 1995, including the majority's ruling, minority rights and religious freedom.
Hamas legislator Abdel Aziz Duaik, a geography professor from the West Bank, was elected speaker of the new Palestinian parliament.
Duaik got 70 votes in the 132-member legislature. The outgoing speaker, Rauhi Fattouh of the defeated Fatah Party, handed Duaik the gavel, to cheers and applause from Hamas lawmakers.
The swearing in of the new parliament, whose members were chosen in general elections held in the Palestinian Authority for the first time in 10 years, took place simultaneously in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through satellite, after Israel decided not to allow parliament members living in Gaza to travel to the West Bank and take part in the official ceremony.
A number of members from the West Bank were also prohibited from arriving in Ramallah, including Nasser Jumaa, one of the leaders of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Nablus.
According to all estimates, including unofficial reports by Hamas members, Ismail Haniyeh will lead the government. However, the possibility of forming a technocrat government, aimed at presenting a more moderate image and slightly relieving international pressure, has not been rejected out of hand.
PA officials satisfied with Mashaal's remarks
Palestinian sources expressed their satisfaction Saturday morning with the remarks of Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, who said that his movement accepts the Saudi Arabian peace initiative, with "slight reservations." The initiative in fact recognizes a two-state solution, as well as normalization with Israel.
Mashaal's call to the designated interior minister "to coordinate with Israel all that is needed in favor of the Palestinian citizen" also served as a source of encouragement to PA officials.
Among the guests of the Ramallah ceremony were Arab Knesset members and foreign diplomats. Television crews from across the world are closely following the event.
Out of the 132 seats of the new parliament, 74 are allocated to Hamas, 45 to Fatah, three to the list of the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa, two to the Alternative List, two to the Independent Palestine list (headed by Mustafa Barghouti), two to the Third Party (headed by Salam Fayad) and four to Independents List.
Fourteen of the new parliament members are jailed, including Fatah's Marwan Barghouti, Hamas' Hassan Yousuf and PFLP leader Ahmed Saadat, who is being held in a Jericho prison. The prisoners' pictures were proudly carried by their wives and family members, who arrived at the ceremony.
The festive ceremony in Ramallah and Gaza was shadowed by the deep concern in the PA over an economic siege planned by Israel, with the assistance of the United States, starting next week.
Although official decisions have not been made by the Israeli government, it appears that the transfer of funds to a Hamas-led PA will be halted. A similar move is being planned by the U.S.
According to the defense establishment's stance, the border crossing should be hermetically closed to Palestinian laborers.
Reuters contributed to the report
