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Hamas opposes resumption of talks between PNA, Israel: official

Arab World Materials 29 July 2010 14:48 (UTC +04:00)
Islamic Hamas leaders said on Thursday they will turn down any call to accept the resumption of talks between the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Israel
Hamas opposes resumption of talks between PNA, Israel: official

Islamic Hamas leaders said on Thursday they will turn down any call to accept the resumption of talks between the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Israel, Xinhua reported.
  
The announcement came hours before the Arab Peace Initiative Follow-up Committee convenes in Cairo to discuss a U.S. proposal to go to direct talks.

"Giving the PNA any authorization to resume talks with Israel would be a grave transgression," Sami Abu Zurhi, a Gaza-based spokesman for Hamas, told a press conference.

Washington and Israel asked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to resume face-to-face negotiations even before the end of U.S.- brokered four-month indirect proximity talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis that started in May.

The Arab committee, which comprises 13 Arab states, approved the U.S.-sponsored indirect proximity talks in March.

Direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel stopped in December 2008 when Israel launched a major offensive on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to halt Hamas militants firing home-made rockets to Israeli towns and cities.

"We ask the Arab committee to withdraw the previous endorsements given to the PNA to negotiate with Israel," Abu Zuhri added.

He said that Abbas can not represent the Palestinian people since his term ended, urging the Arabs not to back "an invalid and illegal" authority.

The Hamas spokesman demanded that the priority should be given to rebuilding the Gaza Strip and uncovering the crimes of the Israeli occupation, "instead of discussing the manner of how to negotiate with it."

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