Hamas reiterates: No recognition of Israel
CAIRO, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar reiterated the Islamic militant group's refusal to recognize Israel, stressing that its program is to liberate Palestine.
Speaking at a symposium in Cairo organized by Egyptian university professors close to the Moslem Brotherhood Organization, Zahhar, a leading member of Hamas' Politburo, said "the movement cannot bargain over its program.
"Recognizing Israel is not considered... Our program is liberating Palestine, all Palestine," Zahhar told the symposium Monday night.
He pointed out that Hamas is seeking to improve its fighting capacities, including equipment and the number of militants, "until liberation is completed."
Zahhar said the group is developing a new type of rocket and will not accept an extension of the unofficial truce with Israel without something in return.
He rejected pressures placed on Hamas following its landslide victory in last month's general elections, including suspending foreign financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority, saying "we will not yield to pressure."
Zahhar stressed that Hamas will not try to impose an Islamic way of life on the Palestinians and vowed the movement will fight corruption in PA institutions.
In the meantime, Palestinian militants said they fired rockets at Israel in what they called retaliation for Israel's attacks on the Palestinian people.
Islamic Jihad's military wing, al-Quds Brigades, and Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades issued separate statements Tuesday claiming responsibility for the firing of rockets at a settlement east of Gaza and at the town of Sderot, southern Israel.
Israel confirmed the attacks but made no mention of casualties.
Speaking at a symposium in Cairo organized by Egyptian university professors close to the Moslem Brotherhood Organization, Zahhar, a leading member of Hamas' Politburo, said "the movement cannot bargain over its program.
"Recognizing Israel is not considered... Our program is liberating Palestine, all Palestine," Zahhar told the symposium Monday night.
He pointed out that Hamas is seeking to improve its fighting capacities, including equipment and the number of militants, "until liberation is completed."
Zahhar said the group is developing a new type of rocket and will not accept an extension of the unofficial truce with Israel without something in return.
He rejected pressures placed on Hamas following its landslide victory in last month's general elections, including suspending foreign financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority, saying "we will not yield to pressure."
Zahhar stressed that Hamas will not try to impose an Islamic way of life on the Palestinians and vowed the movement will fight corruption in PA institutions.
In the meantime, Palestinian militants said they fired rockets at Israel in what they called retaliation for Israel's attacks on the Palestinian people.
Islamic Jihad's military wing, al-Quds Brigades, and Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades issued separate statements Tuesday claiming responsibility for the firing of rockets at a settlement east of Gaza and at the town of Sderot, southern Israel.
Israel confirmed the attacks but made no mention of casualties.
posted by Marko at 2/14/2006 07:56:00 AM
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