Hamas strongly condemned the launch of direct talks between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority in Washington and said the goal was to “liquidate” the
Palestinian cause.
The movement accused PA President Mahmoud Abbas of
providing a cover for Israel to pursue its policy of settlement
construction in
the West Bank, eliminating the refugees’ “right of return” and Judaizing
Jerusalem and the Aksa Mosque.”
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and
leaders of most of the Palestinian groups reiterated on Thursday that
Abbas did
not have a mandate to negotiate with Israel. The Palestinians would not
recognize any agreement he reaches with Israel, they said.
