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Hamas PM lists terms for recognizing Israel
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-26 11:16 Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in September after a 38-year occupation
but has vowed to hold on to East Jerusalem and major West Bank settlements and
never allow millions of Palestinians abroad to flood into Israel.
Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East War.
PEACE IN STAGES
A Palestinian uprising began in 2000 after talks between Palestinians and
Israelis collapsed. Among the issues on which the talks floundered was
Palestinian refugees.
"If Israel withdraws to the 1967 borders, then we will establish a peace in
stages," Haniyeh said. "We will establish a situation of stability and calm,
which will bring safety for our people."
Hamas' election win over President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction paved the way
for the group to form a new Cabinet and knocked down hopes Middle East
peacemaking might be revived.
Asked whether Hamas would abide by interim agreements signed between Israel
and the Palestinians, Haniyeh said: "We will review all agreements and abide by
those that are in the interest of the Palestinian people."
"The ones that will guarantee the establishment of a Palestinian state with
Jerusalem as its capital with 1967 borders."
"We do not have any feelings of animosity toward Jews. We do not wish to
throw them into the sea. All we seek is to be given our land back, not to harm
anybody," he added. Hamas has carried out nearly 60 suicide bombings in Israel
since the uprising began, but has largely abided by a ceasefire forged a year
ago.
Abbas said in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday with Britain's ITV1 he
would resign if he was no longer in a position to pursue his peacemaking agenda
when the new Hamas government takes over.
He held back from saying directly he would quit if Hamas continued to refuse
to recognize Israel's right to exist and renounce violence.
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