Palestinian factions reiterate rejection of direct peace talks

by Emad Drimly, Saud Abu Ramadan

Several Palestinian opposition groups, including Islamic Hamas movement, reiterated Thursday their rejection of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) that would open in Washington.

Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, told reporters that the direct talks in Washington "have no legitimacy because the Palestinian people rebuff it."

"There is no value or importance for any Arab or international cover as long as these talks don't have a national Palestinian cover," he said.

"(Mahmoud) Abbas doesn't have the right to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people or even represent them," Abu Zuhri said, adding that "any results would come out of these talks won't be abiding to our people, and Hamas movement wouldn't accept any plan that targets the basic rights of our people."

Meanwhile, Ahmed al-Mudallal, a member of Islamic Jihad (Holy War) movement told reporters that what happens in Washington "is an elimination of the just Palestinian cause," adding that "it is a conspiracy against the Palestinian cause and a preparation to a large regional aggression."

He called on all the parties in the negotiations to be responsible for the results. The results "would never commit the Palestinian people and their political powers to anything and no one has the right to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people and their cause," he said.

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