Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh has regretted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to call off the Palestinian legislative elections, calling for a national meeting to discuss how to overcome this stage.

In a televised speech broadcast by Al-Aqsa TV channel on Friday evening, Haniyeh pointed out that major issues should have been addressed by the national institutions that were about to be formed after the elections.

“Hamas doesn’t want to turn this situation into an internal conflict,” Haniyeh stressed. “Rather, it wants the national dialogue with all Palestinian segments to continue.”

Haniyeh added that a new road map had resulted from the arrangements to hold the Palestinian vote that should be taken into consideration in the future.

“We’ve agreed on unified elections and leadership, popular resistance, and partnership in all of the Palestinian political system,” Haniyeh continued. “We want to preserve these achievements because they are a genuine part of our Palestinian people’s rights, especially in the West Bank.”  

‘We won’t waive Palestinian rights’

Haniyeh affirmed that Abbas’ speech included new conditions to hold the elections, and one of them is adapting a policy in line with the so-called “international legitimacy”.

“Hamas is very keen on maintaining ties with the international community and is also keen on improving its relations with all parties in a way that serves our Palestinian people’s interests,” Haniyeh noted. 

Haniyeh pointed out that Hamas had agreed with all Palestinian factions that the National Consensus document, the outcomes of the Palestinian secretaries-general’s meeting, and the Istanbul understandings were the political bases and framework for all parties taking part in the election. 

‘Unconvincing reasons’

Haniyeh said that the Palestinian votes were postponed for absolutely unconvincing reasons that the Palestinian people are aware of.

“The delay [of the Palestinian election] means abolishing and seizing the Palestinian people’s right to exercise their natural right guaranteed by all international norms and laws,” Haniyeh explained.

Haniyeh confirmed that Hamas had no disagreement with Fatah or any other party on the necessity to hold the Palestinian election in Jerusalem, but Abu Mazen succumbed to the Israeli occupation’s will. 

He added: “We should have gone ahead with this process and held the elections in Jerusalem.” 

During the Cairo talks, Haniyeh continued, all Palestinian factions were aware that the Israeli occupation may not allow the Palestinian vote to be held in Jerusalem but all participants had agreed on “going ahead with this battle” and holding the elections whatever challenges and hurdles they face.

Haniyeh pointed out that he had recently contacted Abbas to go ahead with this Palestinian popular option and offered alternatives in case the Israeli occupation declines to allow the Palestinian elections to be held in Jerusalem.

Ramallah meeting

As for the summit held by Abbas in Ramallah on Thursday evening, Haniyeh said that Hamas had informed the PA that this meeting should be dedicated for internal Palestinian consultation on how to hold the Palestinian vote in Jerusalem not to announce postponing it.

Israeli settlers’ raids into al-Aqsa

Haniyeh warned against Israeli calls to break into Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque on the 28th day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The Hamas chief called for all Palestinians everywhere to assume their responsibility and support Palestinian Jerusalemites in their struggle with the Israeli occupation. 

Haniyeh saluted Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem who are defending Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque and brought the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem to the forefront.

The Palestinian Jerusalemites have proven themselves to be capable of restoring their rights and preserving the Palestinian identity of Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque among other Muslim and Christian holy sites, he added. 

Haniyeh also hailed Palestinian citizens of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948, and Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps for taking to the streets in support of Jerusalem and its Palestinian population.