Hamas: we accept “a state on the borders of 1967″

01Jun08

“We are committed to the political platform on which we agreed with the other Palestinian forces and in convergence with Arab position. Thus all the international parties should deal with this political fact and judge the political platform to which we agreed. The challenge here is not to search in the minds of peoples but [look at] the offered political platform on the table and the American administration and the international community should work to get Israel to be committed to it … This is the way out. After that, whoever wants to recognize Israel or not, that would a matter of his personal convictions.”

Hamas chief Khaled Mesha’al, in an interview with the pro-Fatah Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam in April. He continued:

“We have the Palestinian Conciliation Document of 2006, in which all the organizations agreed clearly to a state based on the borders of 1967 including Jerusalem, the right of return and full sovereignty. This is the Palestinian position and it is the Arab Position too with some reservations [on our part]. The Israelis should declare their full and strict commitment to it…”

Mesha’al also reiterated Hamas’ support for the 2006 Prisoners’ Document and for a government of national unity. Gershom Gorenberg has an article about it at the American Prospect, which concludes:

‘…it’s worth considering the one option rejected so far: U.S. and Israeli support for restoring a Palestinian unity government. [Political analyst Mouin] Rabbani suggests that Hamas would find reason to reject any peace deal with Israel that Abbas reached without it — but would be more flexible if it were sharing power. One way to push Hamas to moderate its positions might be to co-opt it into the political process. Meshaal’s interview could mean that he’s offering to be co-opted. It’s worth finding out.’

Filed under: Israeli / Palestinian, News and politics, Quote of the Day   |  2 Comments
Tags: "peace process", Fatah, Hamas, Khaled Mesha'al