Fatah’s leader welcomes Hamas’ late approval of Arab Peace

Fatah’s leader and member of its Central Committee Jibril Rajoub said that his movement was happy with Hamas's late agreement to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. In a radio interview, Rajoub said Tuesday that they appreciate Hamas' Late approval of the establishment of the State of Palestine on the borders of 67, as Palestinian political and national realism is the way to end the occupation and achieve the aspirations of the people, and to undermine the Israeli project based on their own land.

He stressed that Hamas is part of the Palestinian people, seeking to achieve national interest, explaining that "our problem with Hamas is political and over the way to achieve the political solution. I do not believe that we have major differences regarding the approach that should be adopted with the Israeli occupation.”

He stressed the need for achieving national unity as soon as possible, saying, "We were aspiring to the issuance of such document in our participation because we are their brothers and allies, and we hope that the position of Hamas will be the basis for a new start to the formulation of national unity.”

He stressed that his movement welcomes the involvement of Hamas in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), describing the current moves witnessed in the Gaza Strip as frightening step, as it comes in coincidence with the visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Washington to meet with U.S President Donald Trump.

Head of Hamas’ political bureau Khaled Mashaal said that his movement is a part of the intellectual school of Muslim Brotherhood, saying that they do not deny their history or thoughts, while they are an independent Palestinian organization.

The statement came during a press conference held by Mashaal at the Qatari capital of Doha on late Monday, announced the details of the new political document of Hamas entitled "Public Principles and Policies Document". He did not rule out the acceptance of Arab Peace Initiative, saying, “We are ready to cooperate with any Arab, international or Islamic effort to achieve freedom for our people but on the basis of the principles of our people.”

He added, “Negotiating with Israel is a tool, and a mean. Hamas deals with it as a policy that could be changed. We do not accept the negotiations during the current period, as this option lacks the guarantees ensure its success.”

Israel responded to the announcement by accusing Hamas of trying to "fool the world", while the group's main Palestinian political rival, the Fatah faction of President Mahmoud Abbas, also reacted coolly to the policy shift.