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Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: AP)
Photo: EFP

Hamas to Abbas: UN bid 'empty of content'

Terror group slams PA leader's speech on UN membership bid, refusing to support it claiming it de facto recognizes State of Israel, hinders Palestinian refugees' right of return

Not all Palestinians are in favor of the United Nations' bid: Following the dramatic speech made by Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas on Friday, serious disagreements between Fatah and Hamas rose to the surface once more.

 

After the self-restrain Hamas chose to display in recent months in regards to Abbas' diplomatic moves, the terror organization has now decided to make its stance clear.

 

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Hamas announced that the UN bid is empty of content, claiming they could not support it because it de facto recognizes the State of Israel along the 1967 borders.

 

Hamas official Yusef Rizka, political advisor to Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh, criticized Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, claiming the Palestinian leader's speech "left some issues undefined and unclear on a legal level."

 

Rizka said he is not sure how Abbas can say the Palestinian plan will not affect the issue of refugees and the legitimacy of the Palestine Liberation Organization, while British legal experts made it clear that this bid can affect them both.

 

Rizka was referring to the London meeting between Fatah Central Committee member Saeb Erekat and British legal experts back in August.

 

During that meeting, Erekat warned that the Palestinian statehood bid might have legal repercussions preventing Palestinian refugees from their right of return, as well as hurt the legal status of the PLO.

 

The Palestinians Authority quickly clarified that they had obtained other legal opinions stating the UN bid does not endanger the status of refugees.

 

'Abbas' personal plans'

In his speech Friday, Abbas took a jab at Hamas, stressing that the PLO is the chief organization representing the Palestinian people.

 

"We are the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and we intend to keep going until we secure full independence," he said.

 

Palestinians watching Abbas' speech (Photo: AFP)
Palestinians watching Abbas' speech (Photo: AFP)
 

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum addressed Abbas' speech, saying its intention was to "market negotiations with Israel."

 

Barhoum added that the Palestinian president's plan to demand full membership in the UN is "part of his own personal plans having to do with the fate of the Palestine people."

 

The Hamas spokesperson added that Abbas is acting without consulting the Palestinian people and their political factions.

 

Barhoum stated that Hamas will not support any plan which recognizes Israel or goes against the Palestinian people's rights, especially their right of return and self-determination. He also added that Abbas' speech goes against the reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.17.11, 09:10
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