Hamas Denies Reports of Dropping Call for the End of Israel

Commenting on recent media reports that indicated a possible change in Hamas strategy to omit the destruction of Israel statement from its charter as poll nears, the leader of the Hamas movement Mr. Khaled Meshael denied any change in that regard.  Mr. Mashael stated that the movement’s ideology is based on the armed resistance as a strategic option until fully liberating Palestinian soil from Israeli occupation, and the refusal to recognize the Zionist entity. Referring to the ongoing Hamas campaign for the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, Mr. Mashael stated that Hamas election program does not necessarily include all of the movement’s strategies but rather focuses on domestic reform and fighting corruption within the Palestinian Authority.