Hamas leader in Damascus Khaled Mashaal called for West Bank Palestinians to excercise armed "resistance" against Israel, at a conference in Damascus on Saturday, Reuters reported.
"Our inalienable rights are threatened with extinction if the scene in the West Bank does not change by launching the resistance against the Israeli occupation and the settlements," Mashaal said.
RELATED:'PA to publicize confessions of Hamas terrorists'Zahar: US 'wasting our time' with peace talksMashaal spoke against the Palestinain Authority's attempts to negotiate
with Israel and the PA's security forces, who have cracked down on Hamas
activity in the West Bank.
"The Palestinian people will not be bribed. They will not be cowed by
Dayton's forces," he said, referring to PA security forces trained by US
Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian territories,
Lt.-Gen. Keith Dayton.
"We are not talking about a business deal or making a profit. Our only
capital is the land, identity and dignity," Mashaal stated.
"When there is such an imbalance of power negotiations become a process of daily humiliation," he added.