Palestine PM Haniyeh; ‘My resignation is based on several conditions.’
notes Yousef Alhelou
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh said on Friday that his resignation is conditioned on an agreement on all the details regarding the formation of a new Palestinian government.
In a press conference in Gaza, Haniyeh added, "Resignation is part of constitutional procedures. It will come when was have an agreement on all the details, and then we can start the constitutional procedures".
In regards to the suggested truce, he said that it should be mutual. He rejected the attempts which try to show that the truce is between two balanced sides, calling on Israel to stop their attacks and "aggressions" against the Palestinians as a condition to discuss this issue.
The prime minister added, "It cannot be imagined that there is a Palestinian army with a huge arsenal, and missiles, and rockets … who is committing the aggression". He also said, "The Israeli aggression should stop so the Palestinian factions can have the time to stop … the ball is in the Israeli court now. They should stop their aggression first, and then there will be no problem, according to what the factions decided in their last meeting".
Haniyeh spoke about the latest developments in regard to the new government's formation, saying, "A proportional system can work between factions who want to form a government by appointment, but we are in the government according to the election results, so a proportional system is not in our consideration ". He added, "When we stick to our position to have this ministry or that [ministry], we are doing that according to what we agreed upon, and the others should respect the agreements. They should not retract from what we have agreed upon."
In regards to the Israeli soldier who was captured in the Gaza Strip in June, he said that this file is being taking care of by the Egyptians, adding that there is a Hamas delegation in Cairo. He expressed his hope that this issue will be dealt with, and that the man will be released with Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Distribution of ministries between Hamas and Fatah is the main obstacle to a unity government
A knowledgeable source has said that the main obstacle to national unity is the disagreement between Hamas and Fatah regarding the distribution of the leading ministries such as the finance, interior and foreign affairs ministries.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, added that Hamas insists on holding the portfolios of the interior and finance ministries. They are willing to abandon the foreign affairs ministry, as long as it is given to an independent and decent figure. At the same time, President Mahmoud Abbas insists that the finance and interior ministries be occupied by independents.
On the same topic, the Palestinian government spokesperson, Dr Ghazi Hamad, admitted that the dialogue over the issue of the unity government has encountered obstacles since it is dependent on ending the crisis of the captured Israeli soldier, and on achieving domestic Palestinian stability.
Hamad said that President Abbas maintained these two issues as preconditions for the unity government because Israel uses them as a guise to continue their assaults on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesman: We will not abandon our political program in the compromise over the new government
The Hamas parliamentary spokesman, Salah Al-Bardawil, has stated that his movement refuses the principal of "gradual effect" that is alleged being exercised upon them in the negotiations over the formation of a national unity government, "trying to force us to abandon our political program that our people had elected us for."
He added, "the agreement on a national unity government, without a specific and clear political program, and without lifting the siege, or securing the release of the PLC delegates and ministers, is a political suicide that could not be proceeded towards."
In an exclusive interview with Ma'an, Al-Bardawil noted the presence of new demands and conditions, which differ from previous agreements, have been proposed and demanded of Hamas.
Al-Bardawil assured that the negotiations in establishing a unity government are ongoing. "Besides, there is a clear understanding among all to the need of achieving a unity government."
Israeli marksmen open fire on TV staff
The news director at the Hamas-affiliated "Al-Aqsa" TV station stated on Saturday that Israeli snipers, stationed on the Qleibo hill, in eastern Jabalia refugee camp, opened fire at Palestinian bystanders and the local TV staff there.
The news manager, 'Imad Zaqqout, said he was personally amidst the staff and was crouching on the ground to avoid the scattering bullets
Yousef Alhelou is a freelance Palestinian journalist based in Gaza. He can be contacted on ydamadan@hotmail.com
notes Yousef Alhelou
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh said on Friday that his resignation is conditioned on an agreement on all the details regarding the formation of a new Palestinian government.
In a press conference in Gaza, Haniyeh added, "Resignation is part of constitutional procedures. It will come when was have an agreement on all the details, and then we can start the constitutional procedures".
In regards to the suggested truce, he said that it should be mutual. He rejected the attempts which try to show that the truce is between two balanced sides, calling on Israel to stop their attacks and "aggressions" against the Palestinians as a condition to discuss this issue.
The prime minister added, "It cannot be imagined that there is a Palestinian army with a huge arsenal, and missiles, and rockets … who is committing the aggression". He also said, "The Israeli aggression should stop so the Palestinian factions can have the time to stop … the ball is in the Israeli court now. They should stop their aggression first, and then there will be no problem, according to what the factions decided in their last meeting".
Haniyeh spoke about the latest developments in regard to the new government's formation, saying, "A proportional system can work between factions who want to form a government by appointment, but we are in the government according to the election results, so a proportional system is not in our consideration ". He added, "When we stick to our position to have this ministry or that [ministry], we are doing that according to what we agreed upon, and the others should respect the agreements. They should not retract from what we have agreed upon."
In regards to the Israeli soldier who was captured in the Gaza Strip in June, he said that this file is being taking care of by the Egyptians, adding that there is a Hamas delegation in Cairo. He expressed his hope that this issue will be dealt with, and that the man will be released with Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Distribution of ministries between Hamas and Fatah is the main obstacle to a unity government
A knowledgeable source has said that the main obstacle to national unity is the disagreement between Hamas and Fatah regarding the distribution of the leading ministries such as the finance, interior and foreign affairs ministries.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, added that Hamas insists on holding the portfolios of the interior and finance ministries. They are willing to abandon the foreign affairs ministry, as long as it is given to an independent and decent figure. At the same time, President Mahmoud Abbas insists that the finance and interior ministries be occupied by independents.
On the same topic, the Palestinian government spokesperson, Dr Ghazi Hamad, admitted that the dialogue over the issue of the unity government has encountered obstacles since it is dependent on ending the crisis of the captured Israeli soldier, and on achieving domestic Palestinian stability.
Hamad said that President Abbas maintained these two issues as preconditions for the unity government because Israel uses them as a guise to continue their assaults on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesman: We will not abandon our political program in the compromise over the new government
The Hamas parliamentary spokesman, Salah Al-Bardawil, has stated that his movement refuses the principal of "gradual effect" that is alleged being exercised upon them in the negotiations over the formation of a national unity government, "trying to force us to abandon our political program that our people had elected us for."
He added, "the agreement on a national unity government, without a specific and clear political program, and without lifting the siege, or securing the release of the PLC delegates and ministers, is a political suicide that could not be proceeded towards."
In an exclusive interview with Ma'an, Al-Bardawil noted the presence of new demands and conditions, which differ from previous agreements, have been proposed and demanded of Hamas.
Al-Bardawil assured that the negotiations in establishing a unity government are ongoing. "Besides, there is a clear understanding among all to the need of achieving a unity government."
Israeli marksmen open fire on TV staff
The news director at the Hamas-affiliated "Al-Aqsa" TV station stated on Saturday that Israeli snipers, stationed on the Qleibo hill, in eastern Jabalia refugee camp, opened fire at Palestinian bystanders and the local TV staff there.
The news manager, 'Imad Zaqqout, said he was personally amidst the staff and was crouching on the ground to avoid the scattering bullets
Yousef Alhelou is a freelance Palestinian journalist based in Gaza. He can be contacted on ydamadan@hotmail.com