Hamas and PIJ call on the PLO to withdraw recognition of 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
19 Jul 2024 02:32
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The leadership of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad met in the Qatari capital, Doha, to discuss the overall political and field developments related to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, following the Israeli occupation's decision not to recognize a Palestinian state.

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Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziad al-Nakhalah in a meeting in the Qatari capital, Doha, on July 18, 2024. (Social media)

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have called on the leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) to withdraw its recognition of "Israel" in response to the Israeli occupation Knesset's decision not to recognize a Palestinian state.

This call came during a meeting between the leaders of the two movements in Doha, Qatar, where Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh hosted Palestinian Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ziyad al-Nakhalah and his deputy Mohammad al-Hindi.

Moreover, the two sides discussed political and field developments related to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

The delegations emphasized the heroic resilience of the Palestinian people in facing the escalating bloodshed perpetrated by the Israeli occupation, the systematic destruction in the Gaza Strip, and attempts to obliterate all aspects of human life. They also highlighted the valiant performance of the Resistance, which continues to deliver significant blows to the occupation daily and has successfully thwarted the declared objectives of the occupation.

The leaders also discussed political efforts at all levels to halt the aggression against the Palestinian people, particularly those being undertaken by mediators. They affirmed that the Resistance delegation relies on the steadfastness of the people and their Resistance, along with the achievements made over the past ten months.

The delegations stressed that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood represents a significant national achievement, creating new realities in the struggle against the occupation that must be built upon and expanded in the upcoming phase.

In light of the Knesset's declared position rejecting the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state, the leaders called for a unified national stance to confront these attempts to exterminate the Palestinian cause, building on the achievements of the recent battle.

The two movements urged the PLO leadership to withdraw recognition of "Israel", reaffirming the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state with al-Quds as its capital and the right of return for the forcibly displaced and refugees.

The attendees praised the patience, resilience, and steadfastness of the Palestinian people in this struggle, emphasizing that these moments are "crucial in our national history."

Israeli Knesset overwhelmingly votes against Palestinian state

The Israeli Knesset voted to pass a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state on Thursday ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's potential visit to Washington.

Parties from Netanyahu's coalition and right-wing parties from the opposition, including Benny Gantz's State Camp party, co-sponsored the resolution. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in the Knesset, "The Palestinian State cannot be established because there is no such thing as a Palestinian people."

Knesset members from Opposition leader Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party left the hall to avoid voting on the resolution, despite the party taking a strict position in favor of a "two-state solution."

The Israeli Labor Party, Ra'am, and Hadash-Ta'al were the only parties not to back the measure.

Earlier in February, the Knesset passed a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, however, the motion specifically addressed a unilateral establishment of such a state without "Israel's" approval.

This time around, the measure holds more drastic content, as it outright rejects any establishment of a Palestinian state, rejecting Palestinians' right to statehood.