 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar from Hamas on Friday said that his movement would not join any coming Palestinian government if it recognized Israel.
| "Nope. Nope. Ain't gonna do it." |
| “Previous nine Palestinian governments have recognized Israel but didn't get any thing or achieved any thing in return...” |
Zahar made the remarks at a news conference held in Gaza about the result of an Israeli closure and blockade on the Palestinian territories, especially the Gaza Strip. "Previous nine Palestinian governments have recognized Israel but didn't get any thing or achieved any thing in return," said Zahar.
| "We ain't gonna recognize 'em and we're gonna get even less." |
Warning negative results from recognizing the Jewish state, Zahar clarified that the Palestinian plan of national accordance, better known as the Prisoners' Document, didn't include any article urging the recognition of Israel.
| "No matter what Abbas said..." |
However, observers see the plan includes an implicit recognition of Israel by calling for a Palestinian statehood alongside the Jewish state. Hamas, like all Palestinian factions, agreed on the plan that also calls for a government of national unity. Regarding a proposed truce, Zahar said "the truce with Israel doesn't mean a recognition," calling at the same time for the truce to be mutual. |