Hamas slams Fayyad-Barak handshake
Group's spokesman refers to meeting between Palestinian prime minister, Israeli defense minister as 'surrender to American pressure'
After the meeting Barak and Fayyad did not make any statements to the press. The meeting comes one day before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US President Barack Obama in Washington.
In their meeting, Barak was expected to present to Fayyad a blacklist of all the goods that Israel will not allow into the Gaza Strip, as well as additional easements at the Gaza crossings.
Hamas defined the meeting between the two officials as a dangerous security meeting, while the Islamic Jihad said it contradicted the Palestinians' interests.
According to Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum, "This plotting security meeting is part of the surrender to American pressure and Zionist orders. It's aimed at increasing the security cooperation with the enemy, in an attempt to destroy the resistance and guarantee the enemy's security."
Barak and Fayyad. Plotting? (Photo: Noam Moskowitz)
Barhoum added, "Fayyad only represents himself, and the Fatah's Authority in the West Bank does not represent the Palestinian people. We won't accept the results of their negotiations, which will not be binding as far as the Palestinian people are concerned."
The meeting, held several hours before Netanyahu leaves to Washington for his meeting with Obama, "gives legitimization to the Judaization plan and the expulsion of Palestinians – and particularly Jerusalem residents – from their lands and homes," Barhoum said.
"This is a serious provocation against the Palestinian people and their feelings, and against all those who identify with the Palestinian people. This is a PA disgrace. The meeting reveals the lies of Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas), who said there would be no direct negotiations with the enemy."
The Islamic Jihad said in a statement that the meeting served an agenda contradicting that of the Palestinians.
"This is a clear security meeting, which is taking place as part of Fayyad's agenda, far from the interests of the Palestinian people. Saying that the meeting will deal with the siege on the Strip is a deception, because those who committed the flotilla crime cannot lift the blockade."
The movement added that "the meeting is aimed at beautifying murderer Barak and washing his hands of the crimes against our people and against the international solidarity flotilla. It exposes the danger in the Fayyad government and points to political anarchy in the PA."
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian blasted the meeting as well. The PFLP said in an official statement that the meeting "serves the enemy, harms the Palestinian interest and serves Israel's settlement policy. There is no room for this meeting in light of the failure of the proximity talks and the ongoing siege on the Strip."
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