The new Hamas-led Palestinian government won't cave in to economic pressures to soften its hardline agenda, prime minister designate Ismail Haniyeh told parliament Monday.
The Hamas militant group on Monday said it was prepared for dialogue with the Quartet of international mediators to try to end conflict in the Middle East.
‘Our people are in need more than any other nation on earth for peace, for security and stability. Our government will not spare any effort to achieve a just peace in the region,’ Haniyeh told the Palestinian parliament as he presented his governing agenda.
‘We have never been seekers of war. We have never been callers for terrorism and bloodshed,’ he said.
Speaking of his diplomatic intentions the Hamas prime minister designate said ‘our government will be ready for a dialogue with the Quartet committee to look into all ways to end the state of struggle and achieve calm in the region.’ The Quartet comprises the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations.
Haniyeh's statement came a day after stating that Hamas is not interested in a confrontation with Israel.
‘The government will seek to be open and to have dialogue with all countries, including the European Union, to pursue giving aid to our people and our Authority in order to afford a dignified life to our people,’ he said.
Referring to Israel's economic ban on the Palestinian territories since Hamas' victory in the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council, Haniyeh said ‘whoever thinks economic pressure could push our government to succumb or that it could weaken the determination and the steadfastness of our proud people is mistaken.’
Israel cut off the transfer of millions of dollars of taxes it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and threatened to severe all ties once the Hamas government takes office, which is expected later this week.
‘We will protect the right of our people to defend themselves against the occupation,’ he added.
Mark Regev, Foreign Ministry spokesman, said in response to Hamas' moderate announcement ‘what we've seen from Hamas leaders is double talk, we've seen verbal gymnastics. We've seen a hint that maybe things are about to change and then it's immediately retracted.’
‘I will not give this government my confidence because the higher national interests of the Palestinian people were absent, and there were only slogans,’ Saeb Erekat, Fatah's chief negotiator said during Monday's parliamentary debate.
Mohammed Dahlan, senior leader of Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement also showed little optimism that Hamas has changed its ways.
Commenting on Haniyeh's statement Dahlan said ‘I noticed a change in the vocabulary but there was no change in the political content.’
Halutz: Hamas might intend to recognize Israel
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz on Monday said in relation to Haniyeh's Sunday statement that Hamas might intend to recognize Israel and the accords signed with the Palestinian Authority to put an end to ‘terror’.
Halutz played down the importance of Haniyeh's statement, however, saying ‘we estimated that Hamas will sweet-talk about ideas which it does not believe in.’
During a tour of the IDF recruitment base Tel Hashomer, Halutz said ‘if Hamas changes its policy significantly, no option will be ruled out.’
‘Let's wait and see proof that will back these statements. Facts should not be ignored. But as long as there are none, we will remain skeptical,’ Halutz said.
Haniyeh makes first reference to Israeli election
Palestinian PM designate Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday made a reference to the Israeli elections for the first time, saying, ‘Hamas leadership is the beginning of a resolution to the crisis - if the Israelis want it to be. We are not interested in a local bloodbath, but in the attaining of the legitimate rights and respect of the Palestinian people.’
Haniyeh also said he would be prepared to visit Europe and the United States to explain to the West Hamas' governmental policies, Israel Radio reported.
Hamas' victory in January 25 Palestinian elections further strained Israeli-Palestinian relations that were already in tatters after more than five years of violence. Hamas, which has killed dozens of Israelis in suicide attacks, calls for the destruction of Israel.
Haniyeh did not say which party competing in Tuesday's election he thinks would be best for the Palestinians. But he said the intention of the leading Kadima Party of Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to withdraw from parts of the West Bank without agreement from the Palestinians is unacceptable.
‘We will not hang onto the tails of the occupation,’ Haniyeh told journalists in Gaza City. ‘But this doesn't mean that we consider the borders they decide on to be those of the Palestinian state.’