Gaza City, 20-06-06: Following previous discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas, General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI), Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi MP, met with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in the Gaza Strip yesterday to discuss the progress of national dialogue on seeking a common platform for Palestinian statehood between all political parties and factions. The meeting was also attended by local PNI leaders, Adi Hindi and Aed Yaghi.
Both sides recognized that significant progress has already been made in securing a consensus on the Prisoners Document that could lead to the concept of a negotiated peace settlement with Israel based on a two state solution.
Dr. Barghouthi also attended an emergency meeting of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza yesterday, and participated in national dialogue discussions. He also met with families of victims killed in recent Israeli attacks. In particular, he extended his sorrow to the Ghaliya family after meeting Huda Ghaliya, who lost her entire family when they were hit by a series of Israeli shells whilst picnicking on the beach in northern Gaza on 9 June.
This was the first time Dr. Barghouthi has been able to visit Gaza since March 2006, having been denied Israeli permission to travel from the West Bank during this time. He finally had to reach Gaza by travelling to Amman and Egypt, eventually crossing via the Rafah border with Egypt.