Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 01, 2003
Geneva Accord neglects Palestinians' legitimate rights
The Palestinian radical group Islamic Jihad (Holy War) announced Sunday that the Geneva Accord neglects the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian radical group Islamic Jihad (Holy War) announced Sunday that the Geneva Accord neglects the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Khaled Al Batsch, a senior Jihad leader from Gaza, told reporters that the peace initiative turns its back to the Palestinian refugees who are eager to return to their homes decades after they were forced to leave.
"It is a dangerous concession of the Palestinian rights and aspirations that many of those who are going to attend its announcement on Monday have been calling for," Al Batsch said.
He added that his movement considerers the initiative as a clear retreat regarding the Palestinian stances.
Drafted by a number of Israeli and Palestinian prominent figures, such as former PNA minister Yasser Abed Rabbo and Israeli representative Yussi Beilin, the peace initiative deals with nearly all the issues of dispute between the two sides.
It proposes giving up the right of return of some 3.5 million Palestinian refugees in exchange for the establishment of a Palestinian state on most of the territories.
"History will punish those who sign on the deal because they give up the right of return that is endorsed by international resolutions," Al Batsch said.