VIDEO - Resisting occupation is the Palestinian people's legitimate right, according to the platform of the new Palestinian unity government obtained by Ynet Thursday morning. The new government also states that it is committed to the right of return.
The platform was sent from the office of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to the different factions ahead of Saturday's parliament session in which the new government will be brought for approval.
A special clause addresses the Israeli kidnapped soldier affair, saying that "the government will work to end and solve the affair of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, as part of an honorable prisoner exchange deal."
The government states that "the resistance will only stop after the occupation ends, independence is obtained and the right of return is implemented."
The government declares, however, that it will "work to strengthen, expand and make the truce mutual in exchange for an Israeli commitment to halt all assassinations, arrests, house demolitions, invasions into Palestinian communities and the excavations in Jerusalem.
The government stresses that "the PLO and the Palestinian Authority president are authorized to negotiate, and any diplomatic agreement obtained will be brought to the approval of the Palestinian National Council for approval or for a referendum."
Another clause opposes the idea of a Palestinian state in temporary borders.
The first clause in the government's platform states that "an end to the occupation is the basis for stability and security in the region."
The clause addressing diplomatic agreements says that "the government is committed to maintain the Palestinian interests based on the Palestinian unity document (the prisoners' document), decisions of the PLO institutions and decisions of the Arab summits."
Haniyeh and Abbas in Gaza (Archive photo: AP)
The unity government declares that it is "committed to Palestinian refugees' right of return to their homes and lands. The government will work to release prisoners and will battle Israel's assassination, arrest and destruction policy, and will view the struggle against Israel's policy in Jerusalem and the holy sites as particularly important."
End to security anarchy
The new Palestinian government states that "it will work to strengthen its relations with the Arab and Muslim countries and its policy will be based on openness and cooperation with the international community based on mutual respect.
"The government will work to end the security anarchy in the Palestinian Authority by establishing a national security council, implementing a reform program and rebuilding the security organizations based on loyalty to the state and adopting an overall security plan which will end the security anarchy in the PA."
The government also vows to put an end to infighting, work to improve the Palestinian population's economic situation, and strengthen the internal systems, headed by the legal system.
The three conditions issued by the Quartet – recognizing Israel, renouncing terror and honoring past agreements - were not included in the PA unity agreement.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday evening said that he would present his new government over the weekend. “Today is an occasion to celebrate. We have done everything,” he declared after a late-night meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah.