Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has declared that there will be no concessions made in regard to the principles of the Palestinian lands. He confirmed that his government values having relations with all countries and mentioned that Mahmoud Zahhar will be visiting many countries in Latin America soon.

Haniyeh added, “We are not against reopening dialogue with anyone, even the USA. We don’t have anything to be afraid of or to hide; our problem is with the Israelis and negotiations with them, as this experience has proven to be a failure.”

Speaking in a festival on the occasion of the new Hijri (Islamic) year in Gaza he said, “We will be honest about the heritage of this nation and will not give up any inch of the Palestinian land.” He called on the Palestinians to stand firm and face the siege imposed on them.

The festival was organized by the ministry of religious endowments and Islamic affairs (‘Waqf’) at the grand Omari Mosque in Gaza City. Many ministers and Palestinian Legislative Committee members attended the celebration.

Haniyeh, who delivered a long speech in which he spoke about the occasion and the immigration of the prophet Mohammad to Mecca, spoke also about politics and the current events in the territories and called on Palestinians to be patient. He said, “We are working in order to satisfy God, we are not seeking posts or ministries, but we will not give up any of our rights in Palestine or Jerusalem, or the right to return.” He stressed the role of the mosques and the religious people and said that they are the source of faith and hope. He also said that the Palestinian government is a “Muslim government project on Palestinian land.”

He also said that his government will accept a state on the pre-1967 lands, or within the Green Line, with Jerusalem as its capital. He stressed the right of return for the refugees and the release of the detainees as a precondition for a truce, not for recognition of the Israeli state.

Haniyeh said the national dialogue to end the chaos and disorder will be resumed soon in Gaza and expressed hope that it will achieve the formation of the unity government. He also spoke about the oppression that Palestinians are facing at the hands of the Israelis and also spoke about the Palestinians in Iraq and what they are facing at the hands of militias. He called on the Iraqi government to protect them. He also urged the Arab countries to protect the Palestinian refugees in their countries.

The prime minister spoke about the dangers which the Al Aqsa Mosque is facing and Israeli plans to judaize the holy city of Jerusalem. He also urged the Arab and Muslim countries to intervene in this issue and to pressurize Israel to halt its plans in the city.

In the end of his speech, Haniyeh called upon Palestinians to abandon the use of weapons and to be united.

Source: www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=18842

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