Salam Fayyad
Photo: AFP
Palestinian PM: We must save ourselves
Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad tells London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat crisis in PA will not be resolved unless Hamas relinquishes its claim for legitimacy and recognize government established by Abbas
“The crisis in the Palestinian Authority will not be resolved if Hamas does not relinquish its claim for legitimacy and respect President Mahmoud Abbas’ decisions,” Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Monday.
Media War
Palestinian rival factions continue war through media as Fatah-run TV station condemns Hamas' 'dark coup' in the Gaza Strip; Hamas' al-Aqsa TV says the organization liberated the Strip from Fatah occupation
According to him, the only way to unite the Authority is through unequivocal recognition of the emergency government established by Abbas.
“The chaos of weapons and a state are two parallel lines that do not meet,” Fayyad said in an interview with London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. "This could be our last chance. We must save ourselves.
“We must understand that we are not a state and still live under Israeli occupation and that every IDF soldier manning a checkpoint is stronger than any government. I am aware that our nation is occupied, but I also realize that we must save ourselves from the disaster we brought on ourselves.”
The Palestinian PM dismissed Hamas’ claims that he had told CNN that “the resistance has brought only misery to the Palestinians”. The alleged comments prompted threats from elements within Hamas, but Fayyad told Asharq Al-Awsat that he “does not take them seriously”.
Security surrounding the Palestinian prime minister has been boosted in recent days after the Izz a-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, referred to him as a “wanted traitor.”
In response Fatah’s armed wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, warned Hamas not to harm Fayyad.
