Abu-Tir offered to stay in J'lem if he quits Hamas
Recent negotiations produce possibility of compromise by which indictment against senior Hamas figure will be cancelled if he cancels his Hamas membership, ceases activities against Israel. Abu-Tir's lawyer: Settle outside of court
As part of negotiations to reach an arrangement for senior Hamas figure Mohammad Abu-Tir, who was indicted last week for residing in Israel illegally, the possibility has emerged for a compromise by which Abu-Tir will revoke his membership in Hamas and the Palestinian parliament and will cease his activities against Israel in exchange for his citizenship and a cancellation of the indictment.
In the meantime, Vice President of the Jerusalem Magistrates' Court Carmi Mossek extended Abu-Tir's remand until Monday of next week.
Abu-Tir in court (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)
Abu-Tir's lawyer, Attorney Osama Saadi, explained that he contacted the interior minister last week on behalf of his client and three other civilians whose permanent resident status has also been revoked. According to him, they asked that a letter be sent regarding talks "on the highest levels between the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel."
"We believe that the decision is not a legal one, but a political one," said Saadi. He also asked for another opportunity to settle the matter out of court.
"I am prepared to do anything in order to stay in Jerusalem," said Abu-Tir during a previous court hearing, when he refused the imprisonment alternative offered him by which he would be banished from Israel and NIS 100,000 (about $25,700) bail be posted that he not return to the area within the Green Line.
