Abu Marzouk: Hamas Will Remain Firm and Will Not Recognize Israel

After Hamas victory in Legislative elections and forming its first government, all western governments did not react favorably to the new reality and agreed on one thing; forcing the newly born government into collapse. In their fierce drive to destroy a democratically elected government, the EU and U.S. governments are completely disregarding the pains and suffering of the palestinian people. Will Hamas remain firm facing the mounting international pressure?  That was our topic of discussion with Mr. Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy chief of Hamas Political Bureau:

Ikhwanweb: Mr. Abu Marzouk, welcome and thanks for being with us

Abu Marzouk: Thanks to you and to the brothers and sisters in Ikhwanweb, the official English website of the Muslim Brotherhood

Ikhwanweb: Mr. Abu Marzouk, the latest statements about Fatah movement by Mr. Khaled Mesha’al, chief of Hamas Political Bureau, ignited strong and sometimes violent reactions, what are your comments on his statements and do such statements represent the Hamas movement or only Mr. Mesha’al himself?

Abu Marzouk: First, let me clarify that the patriotic history of a major movement like Fatah is undeniable. Fatah led the Palestinian struggle for over 40 years and its memorable combat history was witnessed by a large spectrum of the Palestinian people.  Nobody can ever accuse fatah of collaboration. Statements by brother Mesha’al was never meant to undermine Fatah with such history and prominent leadership. We should not dwell on these statements and rather focus on the real issues. There are several remaining problems between the Palestinian Authority (Hamas) and the different Palestinian factions, which must be handled only through dialogue.

Ikhwanweb: What are the boundaries that govern the relationship between Hamas and the different Palestinian factions?

Abu Marzouk: There is no doubt Hamas has good relations with the rest of Palestinian factions. There is always a room for all of us in our big “Palestinian House”. Hamas government will not allow a rift among Palestinians and its policy is to get our internal affairs in order and unite all Palestinian factions within the framework of the overall unity of Palestinian people.

Ikhwanweb: With the almost daily Israeli raids against Palestinians and most the Palestinian factions responding, the Qassam Brigades (Hamas Military arm) have been missing in action, what happened?

Abu Marzouk: The Qassam Brigades are present and its forces are being developed in a good fashion. However, the current political conditions require a specific environment and our brothers in the Qassam Brigades are bound to the same policy and act within Hamas platform.

Ikhwanweb: Does this mean that Hamas is declaring a truce?

Abu Marzouk: That is not necessarily true. As I said, the political situation requires certain maneuvers at some levels. The resistance is Hamas’s agenda, and we will coordinate in the upcoming period with all factions in order to rally the Palestinian people around the resistance as a strategic option. We will work to set forth an integrated agenda for resistance, which will include the settlements and segregation wall in order to create sovereign and viable Palestinian state.

Ikhwanweb: what is your  assessment of the latest tour by Palestinian FM, Dr. Al Zahar, after witnessing discouraging positions taken by some Arab countries like Egypt and Jordan?

Abu Marzouk: I believe Dr. Al Zahar himself will be better to answer this question. Overall, he informed us that his tour with very successful, thank God. He was received very well in all countries he visited and it was an encouraging tour. Rest assured that there is a whole nation (Muslim and Arab) supporting the Palestinian people and rallying behind its elected government.

Ikhwanweb: And your comments on the Jordanian government’s attitude?

Abu Marzouk: We regret statements by Jordanian governments against Hamas; however, what was said about detentions among the ranks of Hamas in Jordan is unfounded. It is Hamas policy NOT to carry its armed struggle beyond the occupied Palestinian territories. Truthfully, the Jordanian government wanted initially to postpone Dr. Al zahar’s visit but he refused.

Ikhwanweb: Some media reports have circulated that the Norwegian government is welcoming a visit by Hamas delegate. Do you consider this decision the beginning of European openness toward Hamas government?

Abu Marzouk: We are reassured that the current policy by European governments towards the Palestinian government will eventually change, because simply it is wrong and irrational. It is unreasonable to punish the Palestinian people for their democratic choice. We should not forget the EU always played a major rule in the Palestinian Issue, so it is not uncommon for them to fulfill their human responsibilities toward Palestinian people. Meanwhile, we value and appreciate the Russian government’s role as well as the new Italian PM position. Therefore, the welcoming by the government of Norway is an indication that the siege on the Palestinian people began to fall apart.

Ikhwanweb: There are statements attributed to Mr. Khaled Mesha’al indicating that Hamas will recognize Israel if it withdraws to the 1967 borders. Your comments

Abu Marzouk: One of Hamas founding principals is that it does not recognize Israel. We ran in elections and the people voted for us based on this platform. Therefore, the question to recognize Israel is definitely not on the table unless if it withdraws from ALL Palestinian lands, not only to 1967 borders. How can we be expected to recognize an occupying entity when there are millions of our people refugees and thousands others prisoners! Why must we recognize them when they do not recognize us as a sovereign state with full independence.

Ikhwanweb: Is there any pressure from Arab countries, specially Egypt, exerted on Hamas to recognize Israel?

Abu Marzouk: They have not frankly asked us to do so. However, they asked us to recognize the Arab peace initiatives, which include the recognition of Israel. We, at Hamas, rejected these impractical initiatives and even Israel itself did the same. Hamas sees the goal behind such pressures is to lower the upper limit of the Palestinian demands to the most possible minimum level.

Ikhwanweb: what is the future ahead of Hamas amidst the mounting international pressure?

Abu Marzouk: I believe that the formation of Hamas government in itself is a major turning point in the history of Palestinian cause. Hamas government will help transitioning the Issue of Palestine from its international framework to that of the national resistance. Palestinian people will stand resolute and will support their democratic choice. I truly believe that Hamas will succeed by the will of God in addition to the steadfastness of Palestinian people and the support our Muslim and Arab nation.