Duwaik's speech
Photo: AFP
Duwaik's family waiting in Hebron
Photo: Reuters
Warm welcome in Tulkarem
Photo: AP
Hamas speaker has 'pleasant surprise' for Palestinians
In first speech after release from Israeli prison, Aziz Duwaik calls for 'unity, reconciliation and dialogue,' says will soon announce 'surprise' for Palestinian people. Hamas stresses no connection between speaker's release and talks prisoner exchange deal for captive soldier Gilad Shalit
"Unity, reconciliation and dialogue are my message on behalf of all the Palestinian prisoners," said Aziz Duwaik, Hamas' Legislative Council speaker in his first public speech since he was released from an Israeli prison on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Legislative Council in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Duwaik said he had prepared a "pleasant surprise for the Palestinian people", that he will announce later on.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of progress in talks for a prisoner exchange deal for the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, that may have included the release of Duwaik himself.
Duwaik poster in Rafah, Gaza (Photo: AFP)
Duwaik was arrested shortly after Shalit's abduction, and was considered one of Israel's key 'bargaining chips' for the soldier's release. However, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum on Tuesday stressed that "there is no connection between (Duwaik's) release and Shalit".
The freed speaker told his colleagues and the many supporters who greeted him that he and the rest of the Palestinian prisoners, including Nael Barghouti, the longest detained prisoner who has been held for the past 30 years, have been incessantly occupied with the matter of Palestinian unity.
Surrounded by reporters in Ramallah (Photo: AP)
"The imprisoned Palestinian legislators are making all efforts to pave the way to mend the rift between the Palestinian camps and restore unity among the Palestinians," he said.
Duwaik said the prisoners were also eager to revive a legislative authority, and he urged his audience to get to work on promoting unity: "I extend my hand to any body that is interested in uniting the Palestinian people."
Another goal outlined by the speaker was the release of Hamas and Fatah "political prisoners" held by both sides in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He condemned those responsible for the detainments and political persecution, and called for "an end to this internal war".
Duwaik was welcomed in Ramallah by a large crowd, that included many political supporters, including Hamas leaders. He received phone calls from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who both congratulated him on his release.
