Member of Hamas’ Political Bureau Khalil Al-Hayya, called upon the unity government to carry out its full duties towards the Gaza Strip and not export any conflicts into the Strip which may consequently lead to chaos.

Al-Hayya, during a ceremony honouring  Palestinian journalists who received international awards in the Commodore Hotel on Tuesday, said, “ We still believe that the unity government, which has turned into a de facto government,  is responsible for the administration of the Gaza Strip and it must fulfil  its duties and responsibilities as a whole.“

He then questioned: “Do you relish upon our suffering and demand us not to seek a method or a way to improve this situation”?

Al-Hayya then addressed the Palestinian factions and civil society saying, "if you are dissatisfied with this situation, why are you holding us accountable? We handed over the government on a silver platter to Rami Hamdallah and he needs to  start solving problems”. He also urged the Palestinian Legislative Council to oversee the work and account for all governmental parties.  

Palestinian Liberation Organization

The member of the Movement’s political bureau said that Hamas is determined to complete what has been initiated through the national meetings in the Lebanese capital of Beirut two months ago, calling it a step forward  in activating and developing the PLO  as well as forming a new National Council as stated in the Cairo agreement.

Al-Hayya added, “ we believe that the PLO is everyone's door, however  we wonder how  it continues to be  the head of the Palestinian people while closing its doors in the face of its people”.

He warned that political exclusion will not work with the Palestinian people, but will rather pave way for a thousand more ways for the people to represent themselves and continue with resistance.  The leader then called for an agreement  on a united, strategic and national program to decide sound means in resisting the occupation.

He also pointed out that the Palestinian people in diaspora organized a national conference to solve their problems after the concerned institution failed to tackle and represent their issues.

Al-Hayya went on to express his wishes for the institution to succeed in organizing the National Council in Ramallah as planned in December  and to not denounce those who attend or not, indicating that this is a new division aiming to revolt against the decisions reached in Beirut two months ago.

He condemned the attacks carried out by PA forces upon demonstrators,  in Ramallah, protesting the trial of Basil Al-Araj, executed by the Israeli occupation last week, and five of his companions.

Elections

The Hamas leader described the call for election in light of unsuitable conditions to undergo such a process as “futile and foolish”.

He stressed that Hamas did not reject the elections, stating that it agreed to them last year, but rather requires  two elements to ensure a  sound conduct of the elections  represented in:  a secure environment that respects freedom in the West Bank and an approved legal environment.

He continued, “ our members in the West Bank have suffered  from the previous two elements and some of them are still detained in PA prisons on the background of preparing for elections. We can’t participate once again under such circumstances.” 

“Will appropriate local elections be held under a state of suppression and persecution practised in the West Bank?  The PA couldn’t withstand a march organized by hundreds of citizens, so could they tolerate local elections contested over by the people?”, Al-Hayya went on to ask.

The threat of war

In regards to an inevitable war, impended by the latest Israeli assaults , Hamas’ political member, stressed that the movement doesn’t wish for a war saying, “We are a nation that has been traumatized and fallen victim to Israeli terrorism which occupies our land, and we in return are defending our citizens from this occupation”.

“The leadership of Hamas, Al-Qassam, and  other factions don’t seek war, but if the Israeli Occupation was to launch one then we will fight in resistance”, Al-Hayya further added.