Hamas is part of the “Palestinian” unity government, and Barack Obama has insisted repeatedly that Israel and a “Palestinian” state, including one led by this government that includes Hamas, can coexist peacefully. Will he take note of this statement by Meshaal, and stop pressuring Israel to make concessions that will only weaken it without bringing that coexistence any closer to becoming reality? Of course not.
“Hamas chief: We cannot coexist with occupiers,” AFP, July 27, 2014:
Washington (AFP) – Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal demanded Israel lift its blockade of Gaza and warned that Palestinians cannot coexist with their neighbors while their land is occupied, in an interview broadcast Sunday.
On Saturday, Meshaal was interviewed by US broadcaster PBS in the Qatari capital Doha while in Gaza his Islamist militia was under assault from Israeli forces in renewed fighting that has left hundreds dead.
A full version of the interview will be broadcast late on Monday, but excerpts were revealed on Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
Asked by veteran interviewer Charlie Rose whether he could foresee living beside Israelis in peace, Meshaal said only a future Palestinian state could decide whether to recognize the Jewish state.
“We are not fanatics, we are not fundamentalists. We are not actually fighting the Jews because they are Jews per se.
Yes, you are.
We do not fight any other races. We fight the occupiers,” he said.
“I’m ready to coexist with the Jews, with the Christians and the Arabs and non-Arabs,” he said. “However, I do not coexist with the occupiers.”
That is, if the Jews and Christians submit as dhimmis in the Islamic state, he will coexist with them. But a Jewish state cannot be allowed to exist.
Pressed on whether Palestinians could recognize the state of Israel as a Jewish state, Meshaal reiterated Hamas’ position — the group does not recognize Israel.
“When we have a Palestinian state then the Palestinian state will decide on its policies. You cannot actually ask me about the future. I answered you,” he said.
“But Palestinian people can have their say when they have their own state without occupation.”
Hamas declared a 24-hour ceasefire on Sunday, but fighting continued in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his forces would push on with attempts to destroy the group’s tunnel network.
Angemon says
Two words: Black September. Disgusting hypocrite.
gravenimage says
“I’m ready to coexist with the Jews, with the Christians and the Arabs and non-Arabs,” he said. “However, I do not coexist with the occupiers.”
…………………………….
Does it matter that Gaza has not been “occupied” for almost a decade now—since Israel unilaterally left Gaza in a foolish hope for peace?
Of course not.
And, as noted, Hamas is not really talking about the “Palestinian Territories” being “occupied”, in any case—he is talking about Israel.
Jews and Christians can only “coexist” with Muslims—as Muslims see it—if they are under the Muslim heel, living as cowed and threatened dhimmis.
And sometimes, not even then.
The Christian population of Gaza has shrunk dramatically since Israel left and Hamas took over. There are just a handful of Christians remaining there now—no more than 1,500.
In 2007, pious Muslims bombed the last Christian bookstore there, then murdered Rami Ayyad, the proprietor.
The Levite says
A beautiful vid involving hamas and sheep…please share….
Liza Jones says
Good! Now Obama and Kerry have their answer. No surrender! No more wiggle room for useless diplomacy. It gives Israel the green light to re-occupy Gaza and the West Bank. I am saddened that so much blood will flow, but there are no alternatives with this Hamas position.
Richie says
Ironic comments by Hamas, given that Muslims are the occupiers of ancient Christian lands. Remember Constantinople and Antioch?
anamberlily says
Amen to that…it’s amazing that he speaks as if everyone is COMPLETELY ignorant of the history between Christians and Muslims…and Jews and Muslims…give me a break!
dumbledoresarmy says
And Alexandria.
Don’t forget Alexandria.
The Copts represent the indigenous people of Egypt.
anamberlily says
“We are not fighting the Jews because they are Jews per se.”
Is anyone actually listening to this garbage? Are we all just supposed to be ignorant or what? I’m disgusted by the glib lies that protrude from this man’s mouth, and by the fact that so many Americans are buying into them. This is beyond revolting. A small part of me is amused by his comments though, because no one with half a brain in their head would believe one thing that Meshaal has to say. Unfortunately, it’s apparent that a lot of people don’t have even half a brain. Pray for Israel!!!!!
gerard says
“We cannot coexist with occupiers”
Well piss off then!
No Fear says
Read the Hamas Charter. Hamas exists for the purpose of jihad against Israel.
HAMAS offers the world NOTHING but JIHAD.
Angemon says
Well, how do you explain the “palestinian right of return” then?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_right_of_return
“The Palestinian right of return […] is a political position or principle asserting that Palestinian refugees, both first-generation refugees (c. 30 to 50,000 people as of 2012) and their descendants (c. 5 million people as of 2012), have a right to return, and a right to the property they themselves or their forebears left behind in what is now Israel and the Palestinian territories (both formerly part of the British Mandate of Palestine), as part of the 1948 Palestinian exodus, a result of the 1948 Palestine war and due to the 1967 Six-Day War.”
The right of return would move hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of “palestinians” now living in neighboring arab lands to lands under Israeli jurisdiction. I find that to be incompatible not only with the supposed desire to be free of the Israeli “occupiers” and their “oppressive” control but also with any two-state solution.