Abbas did not give up the right to return, says his adviser

Political advisor to Palestinian President Nemer Hammad told Arabstoday that the President has never meant to give up the right to return in his interview on an Israeli channel. He said the interview focused on a number of issues related to the Palestinian decision to turn to the UN for a non member state recognition. Hammad added that this step would be an obstacle to Israel. When asked about his expectations about Israel’s stance towards Palestinian refugees, the President mentioned all the peace treaties, initiatives and various decisions suggesting that Palestine should live side by side with Israel. The President mentioned his hometown, Safad, saying that when Palestine is independent Safad will no longer be part of his country, but a part of Israel. Hammad mentioned Hamas leaders’ reaction to Mahmoud Abbas’ statement, which said that the President’s predictions were probably accurate, therefore he did not mean to give away the right to return. He explained that the real issue is Israel’s never ending expansion and racism: the occupation considers the West Bank as Judea and Samaria, and the settlements in the West Bank are on the Israeli territory – according to them. Hammad said that Hamas leaders agreed to the two-state solution, rejecting their claims that the President’s statements blew the reconciliation. He said that these loose claims are issued by people who are selling the illusion to the Palestinian people. He invited the rational and wise people of Hamas to stop the spreading illusions and excuses to confirm the division. On Friday, Hammad addressed the international community demanding high level intervention to put an end to the Israeli oppression against Palestinian Muslims and Christians and their worship places. This comes following the Israeli decision to freeze the Orthodox Church’s bank account for owing the Israeli water company NIS 9 million ($2.3 million). Hammad asked for international intervention regarding the Israeli practices against churches and mosques.