PA minister: Pressure will boost Hamas
Ynet interview: Naif Rajoub confident international pressure on Hamas to end soon
"Many countries, including in the West, conveyed calming messages to us regarding aid to the PA," he said. "I have no doubt the wall of international boycott Israel is seeking to build against us would crack very soon."
The waqf minister (in charge of holy sites) and Hamas member, who is also known as the brother of leading Fatah figure Jibril Rajoub, is convinced that the new PA government would be able to survive the next four years as long as it delivers on its pledges to voters. He says he also regrets that Israel, as well as Palestinian organizations, are attempting to undermine the new government.
Addressing a question about the American decision to curb aid to the Palestinians, Rajoub says he believes the decision constitutes "collective punishment against the Palestinian people."
"Our people is being punished for its democratic choice and its success in the fair democratic experiment undertaken with the world's supervision," he says. "The Americans must explain whey they're calling for democratization but are unwilling to accept its results and are unwilling to resign themselves to the democratic choice of the Palestinian people."
Naif Rajoub (L) with his brother Jibril Rajoub (Photo: AP)
According to Rajoub, the American position is not new.
"The American Administration set its hostile position during our election period, and this is its declared position ever since election results were announced," he said. "We're merely asking them and the world to respect the democratic choice of the Palestinian people."
Won't this decision boost the pressure of the Palestinian street on the government, make your job more difficult, and perhaps even bring up the government's collapse if other countries follow the U.S. example?
"Any pressure, and particularly external pressure on the Palestinian government, would only boost the Palestinian people's attachment to its government. The people elected this government based on clear plans and positions we presented, and the Palestinian people will not concede their stances and beliefs and the positions for which and in the name of which it chose this government.
"Any external attempt to cause us to fail will only strengthen the sympathy toward us among the Palestinians. And if the world wants to push the Palestinian people to its death, they should at least not determine how it should die."
We have recently heard contradictory declaration on what is permitted and prohibited in terms of the government's talks with Israel. What is the real stance on this issue and will you negotiate with Israel?
"Our stance is not new, and it is very clear: The talks will only be held on the civil issues, those relating to the needs and the Palestinian citizen's daily life so that he can live honorably. On these talks, concerning the essential needs of the daily life, there is no prevention and it is very clear in Hamas' stance. It is also not new.
"But what this government refuses to accept and is not ready for is holding diplomatic or security talks or security coordination with Israel. Also regarding this issue the stance is clear, and it is that such talks will not be held on behalf of the government."
In the past few days, the IDF has enhanced its operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Do you believe that this military operation is also aimed at you and intended to cause you to fail?
"I must say that the Israeli escalation against the Palestinian people has not stopped and has been enhanced since our elections. It only increased during the Israeli elections, and we see a continued escalation during the talks to form a government in Israel. I have no doubt that this escalation by Israel has diplomatic purposes."
In such a situation with a hostile Israeli approach and Thursday's U.S. decision, how will you survive? How will you pay salaries? How can you function without collapsing?
"I want to say that the United States and any other country in the world have no interest in starving the Palestinian people. This is not their interest and I see cracks in the international wall that the aggressive and occupying entity is trying to build.
"We are certain that there will be a change in this issue and that countries and international elements will help the Palestinian people living under a harsh occupational rule and military rule. There are signs and indications being received from many countries, including in the West, that they are ready to refinance us."
In the meantime, you are expected to be supported by Iran, which turns you into part of the axis of evil from Israel's point of view.
"The Israelis are working to starve us, so it is not their right to also work to starve us and also tell us from who to receive aid and from who not to. They have no right to deprive us of the aid from Iran or from any other element. Our entire problem, the problem of the Iranians, the Arab countries and the Muslims, is the occupation."
Mister minister, how long will the Hamas government survive? Do you believe you will complete a four-year-term?
"I believe that if we manage to impose order and security in implementing our plan to fight security anarchy, corruption, implementing the reforms and providing people with livelihood and an honorable living, we will continue to serve four full years in spite of the pressures – and I believe that even more than that."
