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Haniyeh. Opposes referendum
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Haniyeh: PA referendum illegal

Palestinian prime minister unimpressed by deadline set by PA Chairman Abbas, according to which Hamas must accept 'prisoners' document' within two days before heading to referendum; meanwhile, three injured in ongoing clashes between Hamas, Fatah gunmen

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh voiced his firm opinion Sunday over the "prisoners' document," saying that plans to hold a referendum over the initiative were illegal. The basic principles of the plan based on the document are a recognition of Israel and a state within the 1967 borders.

 

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas gave Hamas a 2-day ultimatum to accept the document, before heading to a referendum. But Haniyeh, who had said from the beginning that his movement would not accept the document as is, sounded as if he was unprepared to change his mind on the issue.

 

"The local law does not permit holding referendums on the Palestinian law," Haniyeh told reporters. However, he said he would try to continue a dialogue with Abbas over the plan.

 

Abbas' associates are hoping for a surprising and unexpected breakthrough, but do not believe this will take place. The aides added that Palestinians must prepare for a referendum in the coming weeks.

 

Another sign of the tensions between Fatah and the Hamas-led government was seen over the weekend following the deployment of a special Fatah force in the West Bank city of Jenin. After the deployment, Fatah members called to apply the Jenin model on other West Bank cities so that it would constitute a counterweight to the special force established by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

 

Palestinian government ministers and senior Hamas officials rushed to define the new force as illegal.

  

Rafah: Fatah, Hamas exchange fire

 

Earlier, three Palestinians were wounded Sunday morning in exchanges of fire between Fatah gunmen and gunmen from the Hamas-led government's special security unit, Palestinian sources reported.

 

According to the report, the exchanges of fire took place in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. The incident began in an argument between activists from both sides over the political situation in the Palestinian Authority.

 

The discussion quickly developed into a verbal and violent confrontation, which turned into exchanges of fire. Three people were wounded in the clashes, with a Hamas security officer sustaining serious wounds.

 

Following the incident, Hamas members began firing at the home of a Fatah activist, and Palestinians reported that one of the man's family members were kidnapped by Hamas members, who dragged him to one of the special force's posts in the city.

 

AP contributed to the report

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.04.06, 10:54
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