Talking tough: Ismail Haniyeh
Photo: AP
Haniyeh: We'll eat salt
Palestinian prime minister says the PA won't flinch from cut off of international financial aid, won't bow to pressure to drop violence and recognize Israel; 'We are ready to eat salt and olives but we won't be humiliated,' he said
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said the Palestinian people were not troubled by the prospect of aid cessation to the Palestinian Authority.
"We'll eat zatar and weed but we won't betray and we won't be humiliated," Haniyeh said after Friday prayers at a mosque in the Jabaliya refugee camp, in Gaza.
Haniyeh, who spoke at the end of a Hamas march in the area, delivered a speech filled with Islamic symbols, most of which was a message to Israel, the United States, and the European Union, saying that Hamas is planning to fold under the international pressure exerted on it and cut in funds, and does not plan to answer the three conditions of the Quartet: Ending violence, recognizing Israel, and acceptance of agreements signed with Israel.
"The Palestinian people won't give up on its government and it doesn't matter what we'll have to sacrifice. We are willing to eat salt and olives," Haniyeh said.
He said that a school pupil donated to him the little money he had in his pocket for the Palestinian finance ministry. "A sum of 20 shekels can even be stronger than a mountain," he said.
'We're not dumb'
Haniyeh said that even the poor were contributing money to the Palestinian finance ministry, and that even a small sum represents a powerful message to the European Union, the United States, and Israel.
In the course of his speech Haniyeh expressed surprise that his government was not responsible for security or over the crossings, but said it would now be responsible for paying the salaries for PA clerks. He added that Hamas was not a stupid organization, saying: "I am not a clown and none of ministers of my government are dumb."
Haniyeh promised that his government will rule for all four years and carry out everything it promised – including reforms while safeguarding its principles.
