Faruq Qaddumi
Photo: AFP
Fatah chairman: Topple PA
Faruq Qaddumi: Stubbornness between Fatah and Hamas will lead to fighting between Palestinian factions
Fatah secretary general and head of the PLO politburo, Faruq Qaddumi, sharply criticized the Hamas and Fatah movements, warning that "their stubbornness will lead to fighting between Palestinian factions," and accusing those of taking in part in negotiations of "not wanting to reach an agreement."
In an interview to the London-based Arabic-language al-Hayat newspaper, Qaddumi claimed that the lead negotiators between the movements "are not interested in reaching an agreement." He called on the Palestinians to overthrow their government "so that Israel will bear the responsibility for the lives of the Palestinians who still are under the fire of occupation."
"The main mission of both sides in power, Hamas and the PA, to understand that there are no negotiations but useless contacts with the Israelis and the US which do not help anything. No one among the sides has a 'winning card,' but contacts are continuing with America, European countries, and Israel. The side that believes in these contacts (a hint at Fatah –R.N.) should stop them because they are a waste of time, and the other side which won the majority in the legislative council (Hamas R.N.) should abandon power for others or stick to commitments signed by the PLO, and on the basis of which it ran for the parliamentary elections," Qaddumi said.
Qaddumi is fulfilling the position of acting chairman of Fatah since his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, died. Qaddumi, who is known for his intransient views on Israel, never recognized Oslo, and has therefore remained in Tunis – the earlier base for the PLO leadership.
"There are various views in Fatah. We are outside of the Oslo camp and therefore we remained abroad and we held now contacts with Israel or the US, since we think they are allies based on continuing the occupation and annexing the Palestinian territories," he said.
Qaddumi, who is not a fan of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, called on Palestinians to carry out a revolution. "Unfortunately, the other side that won the elections has stuck to ruling, and has stopped resistance for a year and a half. The two sides are not interested in anything other than their interest – something that has resulted in no one being interested in the interests of the Palestinian nation."
