Nickolay Mladenov, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Hamas for calling for the destruction of Israel, noting that it neither “serves the goal of achieving a negotiated two-state solution” nor the “humanitarian” issues of the Palestinian people.
Mladenov was reacting to senior Hamas officials who made statements that the recent reconciliation with the Palestinian Authority (PA) does not affect Hamas’ intention to entirely destroy the State of Israel. Mladenov noted that the destruction of Israel would interfere with the two-state solution.
“I condemn the latest statements made by some Hamas leaders, reportedly calling for the destruction of the State of Israel,” Mladenov said. “They do not serve the interest of peace and the goal of achieving a negotiated two-state solution.”
Mladenov stated that working towards the destruction of Israel would also not help the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“Under the auspices of Egypt, Palestinian leaders have embarked on a course to solve the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and enable the government to take up its responsibilities in the Strip. I encourage them not be distracted from this objective.”
In what was essentially a bloody civil war, Hamas ousted the PA from Gaza in 2007. Though the PA has accepted engaging in negotiations with Israel, no direct negotiations have taken place in three years. Hamas has officially rejected direct negotiations and its recently revised charter calls for the destruction of Israel. The agreement between the two groups signed in Cairo last week has the civil administration of Gaza being turned over to the PA while Hamas retains control of its military wing.
“No one in the universe can disarm us. On the contrary, we will continue to have the power to protect our citizens,” Hamas Gaza head Yahya Sinwar said on Thursday to the Hamas-linked news agency Shehab. “Over is the time Hamas spent discussing recognizing Israel. Now Hamas will discuss when we will wipe out Israel.”
On Saturday, Hamas deputy chief Salah al-Arouri was interviewed on Iran’s Iran’s Press TV. He emphasized his organization’s mission of destroying Israel and Iran’s central role in this.
“We’re not in the stage of recognition; rather we are now in the stage of preparing to eliminate the Zionist entity.” he said, “Our visit to Tehran is our practical rejection to the Israeli demand to cut ties with it.”
