Abbas: Hamas 'can't survive' without changes
PA chairman says Hamas must adapt to international demands, adds Palestinians might lose patience with movement
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that Hamas “can’t survive” if it continues to ignore international demands that it refrain from violence and recognize Israel.
“They should adapt to international standards, they should be part of the international community. Without that I don’t think they can survive, I don’t think they can deliver,” Abbas told The Associated Press, a day after addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
“Whether it is reasonable to expect a change or not we have to give them a chance. They’ve been in the office less than 1.5 months. They should take their chance,” Abbas said. “We don’t want a punishment for the Palestinian people.”
Washington and the European Union consider Hamas a terrorist organization and have demanded the group renounce violence and recognize Israel.
Abbas said the Palestinian people might lose patience with Hamas if it does not eventually adapt to international standards.
“I don’t think people will be satisfied, because they will be deprived of everything because of Hamas’ policies,” he said.
