Gaza - Ma‘an - Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, head of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) party, has confirmed that he received an offer to participate in the new Palestinian unity government during his meeting with Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza on Sunday.
He told Ma‘an that ‘PNI participation in the government will be decided after internal consultations within the party.‘ He added that he has been told by the government, at all levels, that ‘the focus of the coming government should be on lifting the siege.‘ He said that he also agreed with Haniyeh that the basis of the government should be ‘the refusal of the temporary borders, Jerusalem and the wall, as well as supporting the Palestinian people.‘
Barghouthi said that he also spoke with the prime minister about ‘a small committee for the next government to be responsible for decision-making on substantial issues.‘
Barghouthi pronounced that if the American administration decided to boycott the national unity government, ‘they have made a terrible mistake.‘ He said that such threats will not diminish the will of Palestinian people.
He continued ‘if the United States opts for this path, they are practicing a purely Zionist agenda and are not independent of the occupying state‘. He said he considered this resolution to be a significant error.
He added: ‘We are not scared of threats and we are confident that the government of national unity will succeed in lifting the siege and breaking the pressure which is exerted on the government. The battle is not against the government, but Palestinian will. The occupation wants to destroy Palestinian will.‘
The head of the Palestinian National Initiative is expected to participate in the government and assured that he will support the government of national unity.