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New Hamas policy document ‘aims to soften image’ | New Hamas policy document ‘aims to soften image’ |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has published a new policy document - the first since its founding charter. | The Palestinian militant group Hamas has published a new policy document - the first since its founding charter. |
It declares for the first time a willingness to accept an interim Palestinian state within pre-1967 boundaries, without recognising Israel. | It declares for the first time a willingness to accept an interim Palestinian state within pre-1967 boundaries, without recognising Israel. |
It also says Hamas's struggle is not with Jews but with "occupying Zionist aggressors". The 1988 charter was condemned for its anti-Jewish language. | |
The text is seen as an effort by Hamas, which rules Gaza, to soften its image. | The text is seen as an effort by Hamas, which rules Gaza, to soften its image. |
"The document gives us a chance to connect with the outside world," spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said. | "The document gives us a chance to connect with the outside world," spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said. |
"To the world, our message is: Hamas is not radical. We are a pragmatic and civilized movement. We do not hate the Jews. We only fight who occupies our lands and kills our people." | "To the world, our message is: Hamas is not radical. We are a pragmatic and civilized movement. We do not hate the Jews. We only fight who occupies our lands and kills our people." |
Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US, EU, UK and other powers. | Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US, EU, UK and other powers. |
A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas was "attempting to fool the world but it will not succeed". | A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas was "attempting to fool the world but it will not succeed". |
"They build terror tunnels and have launched thousands upon thousands of missiles at Israeli civilians," David Keyes added. "This is the real Hamas." | "They build terror tunnels and have launched thousands upon thousands of missiles at Israeli civilians," David Keyes added. "This is the real Hamas." |
In contrast to the charter, the new document does not mention Hamas's parent organisation, the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement banned in Egypt for being what Cairo sees as a terrorist group. | |
Analysts say the decision is aimed at improving relations with the outside world, including Egypt and Gulf Arab states where the Brotherhood is also banned. | Analysts say the decision is aimed at improving relations with the outside world, including Egypt and Gulf Arab states where the Brotherhood is also banned. |
Gaza has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt for the past decade, imposed to prevent attacks by militants inside the territory. Its economy has been crippled as a result, and many of its 1.9 million inhabitants suffer daily hardships. | Gaza has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt for the past decade, imposed to prevent attacks by militants inside the territory. Its economy has been crippled as a result, and many of its 1.9 million inhabitants suffer daily hardships. |
Relations between Hamas and Egypt have recently begun to improve, with a visit to Cairo earlier this year by deputy leader Ismail Haniya. | Relations between Hamas and Egypt have recently begun to improve, with a visit to Cairo earlier this year by deputy leader Ismail Haniya. |
For years there has been criticism of Hamas over the language of its charter, in particular articles which were branded anti-Semitic. | For years there has been criticism of Hamas over the language of its charter, in particular articles which were branded anti-Semitic. |
The charter speaks of the need to fight "warmongering Jews" and cites a hadith - a report of what the Prophet Muhammad said or approved - that declares "The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews)". | The charter speaks of the need to fight "warmongering Jews" and cites a hadith - a report of what the Prophet Muhammad said or approved - that declares "The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews)". |
It also refers to the "Jews' usurpation of Palestine" and accuses Jews of controlling the world's media and of being behind the French Revolution, secret societies and of controlling imperialist countries. | It also refers to the "Jews' usurpation of Palestine" and accuses Jews of controlling the world's media and of being behind the French Revolution, secret societies and of controlling imperialist countries. |
The new document, which Hamas says does not replace the charter, accepts the establishment of a Palestinian state within territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war as a stage towards the "liberation" of all of historic Palestine west of the River Jordan. | The new document, which Hamas says does not replace the charter, accepts the establishment of a Palestinian state within territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war as a stage towards the "liberation" of all of historic Palestine west of the River Jordan. |
This is an apparent shift in Hamas's stated position, which previously rejected any territorial compromise. | |
The document says this does not, however, mean Hamas recognises Israel's right to exist in any part of the land or that it no longer advocates violence against Israel. | The document says this does not, however, mean Hamas recognises Israel's right to exist in any part of the land or that it no longer advocates violence against Israel. |
Hamas's announcement comes as Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, prepares to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House later this week. |