Hamas surprised at Fatah accusation of negotiating with Israel

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement has expressed its surprise at the “attack” launched by a number of Fatah’s leaders, journalists and officials, in which they accuse Hamas of holding direct negotiations with Israel.

In exclusive statements to Quds Press, senior Hamas member Dr Salah Bardawil said that it is strange that such an attack has come from Fatah, which has adopted the principle of negotiations itself. “It is strange because Fatah defends direct negotiations with the Israeli occupation in every way,” he said. “Indeed, it has had around a quarter of a century of negotiations with the occupation, and is still going through the worst kinds of discussions over security coordination.”

Bardawil accused Fatah of “relinquishing all national values and principles” after it has “merged” its forces and activities with the Zionists. “Not only that,” he continued, “but it has arrested, in coordination with the Israelis, Hamas leaders and supporters, so we are surprised that Fatah’s leaders and journalists dare to criticise an act or behaviour in which they are deeply immersed themselves.” He declined to comment on whether there are really direct negotiations between Hamas and Israel taking place.

The Hamas official made his comments after Fatah demanded that such “absurd” negotiations should stop immediately. It accused Hamas of violating serious national interests and contributing towards Israel achieving its own strategic interest that aims, essentially, to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank and thus damage Palestinian representation.

“The only entity which is officially, popularly and legally authorised to conduct negotiations, discontinue them or conclude agreements of any kind is the PLO,” claimed Fatah spokesman Osama El-Qawasmi. “It has the legal and legitimacy-based mandate and is recognised internationally. No faction has the right to conduct negotiations with Israel alone.”

Hamas has faced three major Israeli offensives since 2008, in addition to a siege that has been in place on Gaza for the past eight years. It has refused to change its position on the Oslo Accords although Fatah has made that a condition for Hamas to join the PLO. The Islamic movement remains opposed to all such demands and reiterated its adherence to the principle of resistance as a strategic option that it believes will lead to the end of the Israeli occupation of occupied Palestinian land.