Haniyeh ready for "unconditional national Palestinian dialogue"

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Date: 03 / 06 / 2008 Time: 13:21


Mahmoud Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh
(Ma'anImages)
Gaza – Ma'an – The de facto Palestinian Prime Minister Isma'il Haniyeh on Tuesday welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' approval of Arab and international efforts to bridge the gap between Palestinian political rivals Hamas and Fatah and stated his readiness to begin an "unconditional national Palestinian dialogue."

Hamas and Fatah have been at loggerheads since the June 2007 takeover of the Gaza Strip and the collapse of the national unity government.

Haniyeh told a press conference in Gaza City, "I welcome president Abbas' approval of any Arab or international effort aimed at bridging the gap between the Palestinian rivals."

He also urged the Arab League to take part in any reconciliation efforts, calling on them to intervene to achieve agreement between the rivals.

With regards to the ceasefire, Haniyeh said, "The Israelis gave completely ambiguous answers to the Palestinian demands which were clear - ceasefire in exchange for lifting the crippling siege, opening the crossing points and halting hostilities against the Palestinian people." He affirmed that Egyptian brokered negotiations between Hamas and Israel were still ongoing.

http://maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=29687

[Vegasaurus]

1. Haniyeh has a lot of balls

to think that he can make all one-sided demands of the Israelis, such as easefire in exchange for lifting the crippling siege, opening the crossing points and halting hostilities against the Palestinian people .

I don't see where the Palestinian halting of rocket fire, reigning in of miltants, etc., is mentioned.

Unfortunately for Mr Haniyeh, he doesn't hold any of the cards, so if he would like to see anything happen with reducing the seige on his people, he will have to make their welfare more important than killing Israelis.

[azurnoir]

2. Ceasfire in exchange for lfiting siege

With regards to the ceasefire, Haniyeh said, "The Israelis gave completely ambiguous answers to the Palestinian demands which were clear - ceasefire in exchange for lifting the crippling siege, opening the crossing points and halting hostilities against the Palestinian people." He affirmed that Egyptian brokered negotiations between Hamas and Israel were still ongoing.

Seems reasonable perhaps, but one must ask what the priorities are here. We are told repeatedly that the only thing that Palestinians want is to kill Israeli's, but not any comment as to what Israel wants, only why any offer made by Palestinians is not possible or a guise for something else.