Subject

Radical statements (in Arabic)

“Softened” statements (in Arabic)

“Softened” statements on Western media

Policy of terrorism (“resistance”)

1. “Resistance is the option the Palestinian people adheres to for restoring its national rights, the right of return, self-determination, and the establishment of the Palestinian state” (Khaled Mash'al, announcement issued by leaders of terrorist organizations in Damascus, March 28).

2. “The movement's [political] platform integrates between resistance and political activity… The fundamental stances [of the government] emerged out of the womb of resistance ” (Ismail Haniyeh speaking at the Legislative Council, March 28).

3. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri was asked whether a statement made by Hamas senior Yahya Moussa to the British Observer that Hamas would stop suicide bombing attacks represented the movement's official position. He replied that the newspaper was inaccurate in conveying Yahya Moussa's intentions. “The [Hamas] movement adheres to all forms of resistance… including suicide bombing attacks” (Voice of Palestine, April 1).

4. “Our resistance to the occupation on the land of Palestine continues and will not stop under any circumstances… The sons of Al-Qassam will continue their march of total liberation of the clods of Palestine , the precious homeland, from the River to the Sea” (Ahmed al-Ja'bari, one of the senior members of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas website, April 5).

1. “We believe that the Palestinian scene is currently under the same political conditions as the Israelis. The way in which these conditions come into play on the ground is the main reason for the prevailing situation, where no one decides to calm down the situation… Violations are few on both sides” (Moussa Abu Marzouq, the Hamas website, April 6).

2. “Military activity depends first and foremost on considerations of the ground [operatives]… It is linked to the conditions agreed upon with regard to establishing internal Palestinian peace” (Abu Ubeida, Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades spokesman, the Hamas website, March 6).

1. In an interview to CBS on March 17, Ismail Haniyeh stated that Hamas never thought about violence, but, in effect, aspired towards peace and calm based upon justice and equality. He added that anything which was offered to the Palestinian Authority on a political level would be considered and
discussed, and that Hamas would look into a mechanism for conducting negotiations.

2. In an interview granted to the Observer (April 9, Gaza City), Hamas Legislative Council member Yahya Moussa indicated that Hamas entered a new age where suicide bombing attacks were no longer necessary: “The suicide bombings happened in an exceptional period and they have now stopped... They came to an end as a change of belief.”

Policy of terrorism/

Qassam rocket fire

Ahmed Bahr, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council, denied statements on the media that Hamas allegedly ordered to stop firing Qassam rockets: “ It is inconceivable that Hamas would do such a thing, especially when the occupation perpetrates such crimes against the Palestinian people .”

Ghazi Hamad, the Palestinian Government Spokesman: “My statements as quoted by Al-Quds were taken out of context—whether by mistake or deliberately. It is the Palestinians' right to continue the resistance , but they must put the resistance activities in order through negotiations and agreements (Radio Shabab, April 11).

Ghazi Hamad, the Palestinian Government Spokesman, said that Hamas would act towards monitoring the launch of Qassam rockets at Israel through negotiations with the various organizations (Al-Quds, citing AP, April 10).

Recognition of the State of Israel

“No to negotiations with Israel , no to recognition of Israel , and no to surrendering Palestinians' rights” (Khaled Mash'al, Al-Rai al-Am, Kuwait , March 26). “One of the fundamental principles of the new government is not to surrender to international pressure and refuse to recognize Israel ” (Ismail Haniyeh, Al-Shuruq, March 1). “I dream of putting up a big world map on the wall of my Gaza home, on which there will be no Israel” (Mahmoud al-Zahar, interview to the Chinese news agency, April 1).

“The government will agree to cooperate with Israel on many issues… There is, therefore, no way to cut off this partnership (Moussa Abu Marzouq, the Hamas website, April 6).

Ismail Haniyeh, in an interview to the Israeli Jerusalem Post given on February 25, stated that Hamas would respect the agreements ensuring the establishment of a
Palestinian state on the 1967 lines, as well as the release of prisoners. He added that if Israel withdrew to the 1967 lines, Hamas would formulate peace in stages .

Islamization

“The new council will act towards matching Palestinian laws to the spirit of Islam... ‘Islam is the solution'—that is the slogan on Hamas' banner, and that must be reflected in the laws it passes” (Ahmed Abu Halabiya, Al-Ayyam, February 22).

“We will not force our views and opinions on anyone—this is our way. We will not force the women to wear veils, as was implied, while at the same time we will not pass laws contrary to religious law” (Maryam Saleh, Minister of Women's Affairs, Al-Khaleej, March 24).

“We are committed to acting in order to improve the moral standards of our
people. I hope that soon all places selling alcohol will be closed, not as a result of an order, but because there will not be any consumers” (Aziz Dweik, Secretary of the Legislative Council, Corriere della Sera, March 1).

Negotiations with Israel

“I will not meet with the occupation leadership, and we have our representatives for prisoners' visits” (Wasfi Qabha, the Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, March 28). “The Palestinian defense is not open for political negotiations. That is out of the question on my agenda” (Sa'id Siyam, Interior Minister, at a press conference in Gaza City , April 2).

“I am willing to meet with my Israeli colleague… We do not regard the meetings strictly as such. If necessary, I don't think there is going to be a problem” (Omar Abd el-Razeq, Minister of Finance, March 24).

In an interview to Reuters correspondent on March 23, Sa'id Siyam said that with regard to matters of day-to-day living, there were professional elements, and they would not revolutionize such matters.