Haniyeh: Annapolis deal won't be binding

Hamas affirms right to armed struggle, asserts ownership of "land from Jordan to Mediterranean."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Haniyeh 224.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Haniyeh 224.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Hamas parliamentarians in Gaza signed a petition declaring their opposition to Palestinian "concessions" in Jerusalem and on the refugee issue, Israel Radio reported Monday. "Any settlement that does not include the return of the refugees, [Israel's] ceding of the land and the holy sites, and the release of the prisoners is ridiculous," Ahmad Baher, deputy chairman of the Palestinian parliament said at the signing of the document. "The attempt to force such a solution led to the second Intifada." Among the signatories was Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. "The people believe that this conference is fruitless and that any recommendations or commitments made in the conference that harm our rights will not be binding for our people," Haniyeh said as he entered the Palestinian parliament building in Gaza. "It will be binding only for those who sign it." The statement affirms the Palestinians' right to uphold the armed struggle against Israel. "It is our prerogative to defend our lands by all possible means. We warn of the deplorable security coordination with the enemy. We call for a unified Arab and Palestinian front. All powers must deploy to combat the aggression against our nation." "The Palestinian people hold the exclusive right to decide its fate in any manner it sees fit, and it owns the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea," the statement reads. The petition ends with an entreaty to the international community to help the Palestinian people. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Monday that Abbas promoted a "failed and dangerous" policy that undermined Palestinian unity. "The Palestinian people's history has not seen a worst era than that of [Abbas] as president," he said. In Gaza City, Some 2,000 members of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and smaller groups also opposed to Israel's existence participated in a conference Monday against the US summit. "We believe that with patience, we will change the rules of the game," said Muhammad al-Hindi, an Islamic Jihad leader. "Our jihad and sacrifice will bring us the great victory we are looking for."