Faith

Hamas Leader Pledges: ‘We Will Not Recognize Israel as a State’ if Given Official Palestinian Homeland

Hamas Leader: We Will Not Recognize Israel as a State | Moussa Abu Marzouk

Hamas' deputy leader Moussa Abu Marzouk (AP)

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Hamas leader said Thursday that if his militant group came to power in a future Palestinian state, it would not abide by any previous Palestinian peace deals with Israel.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, the Islamic militant group’s number two figure, said any potential deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, even if ratified in a Palestinian referendum, would be considered only as a temporary truce.

“We will not recognize Israel as a state,” he told the Jewish Daily Forward, a Jewish-American newspaper in an interview published Thursday. It was the first such interview by a senior Hamas leader to a Jewish publication. Israeli newspapers reported it on Friday.

Hamas has ruled Gaza since expelling rival Fatah forces in 2007. The Palestinian Authority, headed by Fatah’s Mahmoud Abbas, rules parts of the West Bank.

Abu Marzouk‘s remarks emphasized the doctrinaire position of the Islamic militant group’s exiled leadership, ruling out accommodation with Israel. Some local Hamas figures have hinted they would accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza as a first stage toward the eventual elimination of Israel.

Hamas Leader: We Will Not Recognize Israel as a State | Moussa Abu Marzouk

Some see that as a way for Hamas to finesse its official position, which does not recognize a place for a Jewish state in an Islamic Middle East.

The U.S., EU and Israel consider Hamas a terror organization. They say they will not accept Hamas as a Palestinian political player unless it first recognizes Israel, renounces violence and accept previous peace accords with Israel.

Hamas, an Arabic acronym which means Islamic Resistance Movement, has carried out suicide bombings and other attacks against Israeli citizens and soldiers, killing hundreds. Palestinian militants have fired thousands of rockets and mortars at Israel since Hamas took power in Gaza.

An editor of the Jewish Daily Forward wrote that he met with Abu Marzouk in Cairo. The Hamas leadership left its longtime base in Syria because of the unrest there.

“Why am I here?” Larry Cohler-Esses of the Forward asked Abu Marzouk at the beginning of the interview.

“We don’t have … something against the Jew as a religion or against the Jew as a human being,” Abu Marzouk said. “The problem is that the Israelis kicked out my family. They have occupied my land and injured thousands of Palestinians.”

The Hamas leader alluded to the Nazi murder of 6 million Jews during World War II. He said what happened to Jews in Germany and Poland was “very bad” and that “anyone (whose) father or grandfather did something like that, he should be ashamed.”

Hamas has traditionally refrained from acknowledging the Holocaust and has protested against the subject being taught in U.N.-run schools in Gaza.

Comments (48)

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  • nosharia
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:06pm

    Dare to dream you creep.

    Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on April 21, 2012 at 2:51am

      Yes, and let’s jsut have a little geography lesson mr Palestinian terrorist lover Mazouk….it would seem to me that the disputed territory was part of Jordan, why is it Jordan will not receive you all back into their fold? Rather than Palestinian aren’t you really Jordanian? And since it is obvious to any, save the brain dead leftist, why don’t you just go home to Jordan?

      What, you really have no desire for peace? You really want the total annihilation of Israel rather than go home to Jordan?

      Here are a couple of news flashes, your side lost the 6 day war; you don’t really want a peace or you would have taken advantage of the many concessions made by Israel.

      Don‘t you find it more than just a bit coincidental that Israel is God’s chosen people; the earth was created in 6 days (to God a day is as a thousand years but not important – just a discalimer for the leftist / atheists who would seize upon this) and Israel won a war against all odds in just 6 days? with many super natural events making the victory possible.

      Since Hebrew is God’s language and since there is no Hebrew word for coincidence…what do you think that means?

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on April 21, 2012 at 9:30am

      So why would Israel recognize a Palestine? These people are idiotic and clearly need to be removed. Maybe sleep gas them, and then round them up, and drop them across the Iranian border. When they wake up they will have a new homeland.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
  • bobmann101
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 3:59pm

    When you look at a map of the Middle East you this little counrty called Israel surrounded by all the hostile countries. Yet Israel is still there. I have a feeling it will remain there more a long time.

    Report Post » bobmann101  
    • nosharia
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:04pm

      and Obama has assisted ousting every middle east dictator who was friendly with the U.S. except Syria

      Report Post »  
    • spktruth200
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 5:17pm

      All stolen land you morons. Dont believe it. Check a map of Palestine 1948, an check the Map of israel today. the UN gave Israel a certain territory with boundaries, israel has never stayed in its boundaries, while they have delivered a brutal occupation of Gaza and WBank. You idiots have no critical thinking skills…who has army, navy, air force, nuclear weapons, and is the 4th largest military in the world…yeah that little tiny nation state which we taxpayers have given over one trillion since 1948. The Isralies used that money to build up their forces while oppressing and occupying while continuing to steal land not theirs. Israel has invaded and threatened all its neighbors! check out the USS Liberty, Israel bombed the hell out of it, killing 34 of our sailors and wounding 174…yeah Israel is a real friend allright, while the spy on americans, create Virus and blame the arabs. we have seen this movie before.

      Report Post »  
  • Arshloch
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 1:08pm

    With that kind of intelligence it’s no wonder that his hair grows down instead of up. The Ps need a homeland on an island, far from civilization, with no access to a boat.

    Report Post » Arshloch  
  • conserve48
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 1:03pm

    When is obama gonna invite him to the WH for a beer summit?

    Report Post »  
  • iampraying4u
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 12:41pm

    David beat palestine years ago

    Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 1:08pm

      Attention: Hamas Leader – you can pledge all you want – God made a pledge as well – what you do to Israel – God will do to you! This means that when the dust settles – Israel will still be standing and you wont!

      God doesn’t care what you say – or what Obama or any other Tin Horn Muslim Dictator says or pledges about Israel – you all are defeated foes and God and Israel will be the Victors.

      It is unfortunate that many former Christian will give up their life in eternity because of their vote in the next upcoming election! Then again the Bible said “Many would be deceived – even the wisest among us”

      Report Post » db321  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 12:24pm

    How long will we continue to view the followers of the Koran as human?

    Report Post »  
  • bitemebiden
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 12:23pm

    Well that sure gives Israel a lot of incentive to give up part of their country, what a deal! Peace for land? Is POTUS listening or will he still push for his “peace plan” ?

    Report Post » bitemebiden  
  • Notsri
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 12:21pm

    Hamas is also a Hebrew word that means “violence” or “lawlessness.” The word is used all throughout the Old Testament, for example Ezekiel 45:9

    Report Post »  
  • tankyjo
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 12:20pm

    No peace until the Prince of Peace comes. More useful idiots for Russia.

    Report Post » tankyjo  
  • ElChupaCabraDeUSA
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 11:38am

    Ok so stop any further negotiations, declare war and get it on. If you want the land try to take it. Otherwise shut the F up and crawl back in your hole.

    Report Post » ElChupaCabraDeUSA  
  • Bill Wallace
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 11:28am

    And what has Palestine done, historically?

    They are no angels. They took part of the slaving of others. In the removal of jews from the middle east.

    I said long ago, over 30 years ago, that the answer to this issue was a bunch of bulldozers pushing the Palestinians into the Mediterranean. You cannot fire a rocket when your arms are needed for treading water.

    Report Post »  
    • maccow
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 2:18pm

      Lets look at who is the real destabilizing influence in the middle east and neighboring regions
      Major Islam on Islam wars in the middle east and North Africa this century.

      First Sudanese Civil War; 17 years (1955-1972), estimated 500,000 casualties.
      Lebanese Civil War; 5 years (1975-1990), with 150,000-230,000 casualties.
      Iran/Iraq War; 8 years (1980-1988), up to 1 Million fatalities including 5000 Kurds gassed by Sadam Hussein.
      Second Sudanese Civil War; 22 years (1983-2005), 600,000-1.5 Million casualties.
      Algerian Civil War; 10 years, (1992-2002), between 100,000-200,000 casualties.
      War in Darfur Sudan, 6years (2003-2009), between 100,000-330,000 casualties.
      Arab Spring; Going into second year. 26,400-31,400 casualties in seven Arab countries.

      But we are told that Israel is the source of all unrest and violence in the middle east.
      Israeli/Arab Conflicts; 67 years long so far, from 1945-2012, estimated 92,000 total fatalities Arab and Israeli, (74,000 military, 18,000 civilians)

      United Nation’s Resolutions; By 2007, Israel was the subject of 76% of country-specific General Assembly resolutions, 36% of resolutions from the Human Rights Council and 7% of the Security Council resolutions.

      “Thus says your Lord, The LORD and your God, [Who] pleads the cause of His people: “See, I have taken out of your hand The cup of trembling, The dregs of the cup of My fury; You shall no longer drink it. But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you,” Isa

      Report Post » maccow  
  • mensa141
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:17am

    Funny how Arabs are the only group that lie so well that they end up believing thier own lies. When did Palestinians ever have a country? Any country?

    Report Post »  
  • zoro51
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 9:24am

    burn in sheol camel the land of isreal belongs to isreal NO ONE ELSE. you come against isreal you come agansit the TRUE GOD.. not a man mande stone idol called allah. MURDERING MUSLUMS WILL NEVER SEE HEAVEN ONLY HELL,..

    Report Post » zoro51  
  • tzion
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 9:07am

    Not surprising in the slightest. Well Rose Ellen, it seems pretty clear to me that you should concede that you were wrong. You’ve been claiming for months that Hamas would recognize Israel if given a state. We told you that was complete BS and you wouldn’t listen. And very soon it will become clear that the Brotherhood and Fatah are no different.

    Report Post »  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:41am

    With a philosophy & ethics such as Moussa Abu Marzouk has there can only be perpetual war. If Israel ceased to exist, Moussa would still make a bad neighbor; I would never trust him.

    Report Post »  
  • lynnissmart
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:12am

    It hurts to look at this ugly piece of s h i t……..they want….they want….they want…..they give, they give, they give…..nothing…….makes sense to me….NOT

    Report Post »  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:38am

      It’s funny, I keep thinking bla bla bla bla, bla bla bla bla, bla bla bla bla, exactly what you said.

      Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:43am

      But according to the oh, so intelligent and so much smarter than we average folks members of this administration, so much progress has been made in the Palestinian territories that it would be counter-productive to cut off aid. Thus, unelected Secretary Clinton decided to release the funds earmarked for them over the hold that was placed on the money by a duly elected member of Congress. Where is Obama’s fear of the unelected on this one?
      The same SOS also had us arm the rebels in the kinetic non-military action in Libya and called the Muslim Brotherhood a group of community organizers. Well, how much good did arming the rebels do? If you read non-US newspapers, we have tribal warfare going on in Libya, a coup in Mali, and tribal uprisings in many of the countries of the Sahel. Perhaps we should call this administration the regime of unintended consequences.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:10am

    .
    This is the part where “Kill them All” kicks in……

    It’s Them or Us. I choose US. So let’s get the party started and get it over with already………

    I want to BBQ and Boil a sack of Crawfish next weekend………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:25am

      This is more the reason to become energy independent and not kill them. Let them have their sand. We quit buying oil and giving Israel’s enemies money they have nothing!!! We need a new policy with Muslim countries. Quit dropping bombs on them because they are expensive. Quit rebuilding their backward ass countries because it gets out troops killed and hurt.

      Its time to wake up and face reality. We are broke and we are only funding and fueling our enemies by being over their and using their products.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:32am

      .
      MUTINY We need a new policy with Muslim countries.

      Kill Then All should be the new policy…..

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 9:26am

      Cut off the money and they will kill themselves.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on April 20, 2012 at 10:00am

      .
      They’ll Kill themselves by becoming Suicide Bombers and rejoice in Killing Innocent People, like you and your family…….

      The only peace you can have with a rabid dog, is to kill the rabid dog…….

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Watchyer6
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 8:00am

    Yet our Defense Secretary, Panetta, demanded that Israel “get back to the negotiating table.” It doesn’t seem, from the Hamas side, like there’s a whole lot to negotiate.

    Report Post » Watchyer6  
  • momrules
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:58am

    When, oh when are people going to take these people’s word that there will never be peace with Israel?
    They keep saying, out loud and proud, what they are thinking and Israel is still blamed for not making peace with them.
    The only thing that will satisfy Islam is the destruction of Israel and the eradication of the Jews and that just isn’t going to happen.

    God has other plans.

    Report Post »  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:41am

    Whether they recognize it or not, it IS a state!!!

    Report Post » NHwinter  
  • qpwillie
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:34am

    Oh pshaw! That’s not true. Ron Paul and a few others have told us that all anybody has to to is be nice to the terrorists and they’ll be nice right back.

    Report Post » qpwillie  
  • TEARS FOR AMERICA
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:34am

    There will never be a TRUE peace in the Middle East (or anywhere else) until Jesus Christ returns to the earth and sets His foot upon the Mount of Olives as King of kings and Lord of lords . The U.N. had better pack her bags, she is going straight to hell. (Zechariah 14:4;Acts 1:11; II Thess 2:8)
    Be prepared.

    Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:22am

    ” ah I knew you’d be surprised…”

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:17am

    Oh I’m simply stunned. Who would see that coming?

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • lukerw
    Posted on April 20, 2012 at 7:02am

    No Quarter; Victory or Death!

    Report Post » lukerw  
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