Yousif: the homemade shells are used to create a fear balance with Israel

Saturday November 24, 2007 15:58 by PNN - IMEMC News

In an interview held in his office in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Dr Ahmad Yousef, the political adviser of the deposed Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh said that the Palestinian home made shells although underdeveloped are used as a preventive tool in order to create a balance of fear as the Israeli occupiers continue with their attacks against the Palestinians.

He added that these home made shells will be used as a warning message to Israel. He clarified that the resistance fighters are using these home made shells in retaliation to the Israeli attacks.

We- the Hamas movement- have said before that we are ready for a comprehensive and simultaneous cessation of firing shells with Israel and all of the resistance factions will abide to this national stance.  

He added that by reporting its daily attacks and infringements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Israel has succeeded in convincing the whole world that these attacks against the Palestinians are because of the firing of home made shells from the Gaza Strip.

He stated that Israel has rejected the movement's proposals for a calm period which were submitted through Arab and European mediators. He indicated that while Israel was violating the truce by carrying out its targeted killings policy in the West Bank and the Gaza strip, Hamas had been committed to a unilateral truce for a year and a half.  

He added that if Israel wants to have security and stability it should stop its attacks on Palestinians and to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories. Furthermore the Palestinians have the right to defend themselves and to resist occupation, a legitimate right stated by all international laws and conventions.   

Regarding recognizing Israel, Yousif said that this was a condition imposed by the Middle East peace Quartet on the Hamas movement without asking Israel to fulfill any of its commitments stated in any signed agreements with the Palestinians. So for the issue of recognizing Israel to be looked at, with all its impacts on us and on the region as a whole, the International community will be obliged to hold talks with us and consider our point of view during its efforts to achieve stability and security in the region.   

He stated that Hamas as both a movement and government following its 2006 election victory, present its political vision based on the idea of a long term truce which would include Israel's withdrawal from the areas it occupied during the 1967 war, a comprehensive cessation of firing, the release of all of Palestinian detainees and prisoners and to deal with the right of return of the Palestinian refugees in accordance with the UN resolution 194.

He affirmed that since the political efforts were stalled, then the armed resistance is the only option to encounter the occupation and to end it. He added that Hamas had explained its political stance to several European and American sides and found a better understanding of its political views and visions. However the American attitude of supporting Israel was unchanged until recently by putting pressure on the Arab and international sides to continue with the embargo policy.

 Regarding the relationship between the rival movements of Fattah and Hamas, he said that since these two movements represent between them the palsetinian people, neither can ignore the other.

 The Fattah movement did not accept Hamas' victory and tried to obstruct its reforming effort. The movement had suffered from the surging of the Fattah movement and its members inside the security and civil departments, an issue that led to the forming of the executive force to enforce law and order. But despite all the attempts to target leaders of the Hamas movement we decided to eliminate the risin by storming the headquarters of Palestinian security and taking control over it. He affirmed that the Hamas movement is calling for talks with the Fattah movement to end all of the disputes within a framework of political partnership and to protect the national interests.He added that what is needed from President Abbas is to leave the door open for talks between the two movements. 

Yousif commented on the event commemerating the late president Yaser Arafat that was held in the Gaza Strip during which seven Fattah supporters were killed and several others wounded when clashes erupted between the Fattah supporters and the executive force formed by Hamas .He said that the government had provided the organizers of the event with all needed facilities, but according to Yousif some of the insurgents took advantage of the event to deliver incentive speeches which led to tragic losses.

Translated by Manar Jibrin-IMEMC News

gaza strip | palestinian politics | interview manarjibrin at gmail dot com