Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh stated the following:

The Cairo talks are a culmination of an effective endeavours that we along with our brothers in Fatah and all Palestinian factions have been working on for months, which included the Palestinian secretaries-general’s meeting and the Istanbul understandings.

However, the current stage is exceptionally crucial, given the location, timing and the meeting’s agenda, including the agreement on holding free and fair elections in which all our Palestinian people at home and abroad can be involved.

We, in Hamas, are open to a comprehensive dialogue that leads to restructuring the Palestinian national house, ending division, paving the way to a political system based on partnership, political pluralism and respect for the Palestinian will. We are waiting for opening the door for rearranging the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) through the National Council election, as well as brining the Palestinian national project into focus and agreeing on a political programme in the face of liquidation attempts which are targeting the Palestinian cause.     

Hamas delegation, which is led by Hamas Deputy Chief Saleh al-Arouri and includes senior officials, is equipped with a clear decision and willpower to reach a balanced national agreement through which we can begin a new stage and make a unique change in the Palestinian freedom struggle.

We realise that we are going through the most dangerous stage to our Palestinian cause and national constants, particularly Jerusalem, the Palestinian homeland and right of return, so we all have joint responsibility and inevitable duties to meet.  

At the time I am I saluting all Palestinian officials attending the Cairo talks, I am calling for them to assume their historical responsibility and exert efforts necessary to pass this stage so we can discuss national matters and present a civilised image through the parliamentarian, presidential and National Council elections that reflects how great our Palestinian people and their sacrifices are.

We confirm that we all ready to take all the necessary measures and preserve freedoms in the Gaza Strip to ensure the success of the coming election. We hope to see the same thing from the side of our brothers in the Palestinian Authority, as well as securing the election process in occupied Jerusalem.    

Since it views the elections as a means to an end, Hamas has a post-election vision based on partnership, consensus and inclusiveness.

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh

Monday

26 Jamad Thani 1442

8 February 2021