Hamas distances itself from Palestinian statehood bid at UN

[oberliner]

The Palestinian Authority's push to achieve recognition of an independent Palestinian state in the United Nations has nothing to do with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Hamas officials said on Monday, adding that the campaign was launched without consulting Hamas leaders.

Speaking to the Palestinian Ma'an news agency on Monday, the leaders of several Palestinian factions voiced differing opinions on the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN, with both Hamas and Islamic Jihad representatives distancing themselves from the planned vote.

Hamas Gaza strongman Mahmoud Zahar told the Palestinian news agency that the UN push did not represent the Hamas-ruled Strip, saying that no one "asked the people in Gaza to take to the streets showing solidarity with the so-called September bid."

"If the Palestinian Authority calls for that, we will oppose it because they detain people in the West Bank. How can I give them the right to demonstrate in Gaza, while they do not give us that right in the West Bank?" Zahar asked.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-distances-itself-from-palestinian-statehood-bid-at-un-1.384034

[King_David]

1. 3 State solution nt

[King_David]

2. Islamic Jihad also

Hamas official Musheer Al-Masri says the bid is an "individual step taken by President Abbas without consulting any faction."

Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar says the Gaza Strip, which Hamas controls, has been left out of the campaign.

"Nobody has asked the people in Gaza to take to the streets showing solidarity with the so-called September bid. If the Palestinian Authority calls for that, we will oppose it because they detain people in the West Bank. How can I give them the right to demonstrate in Gaza, while they do not give us that right in the West Bank?"

Islamic Jihad also criticized the PA for launching the bid unilaterally.

"This move needs to be studied to make sure it will not ignore major issues such as the right of return, and the future of the Palestine Liberation Organization as a umbrella for the whole Palestinian people," said Islamic Jihad spokesman Dawood Shihab.


http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=419463

[LeftishBrit]

3. Ugh

I knew something like this would happen.

Every time there's a real possibility for a Palestinian state, Hamas do something to sabotage it. Why don't the Israeli Right and Hamas just form a coalition; they've been reinforcing each other in practice for years!

[bemildred]

4. Strange bedfellows.

The thing is, if there is a real agreement, Hamas is toast.