Hamas is ready to reach an agreement with Fatah movement on the details of a “comprehensive mass popular resistance” to deliver a message to the occupation that Palestinians are united and have the right to resist.
Hamas politburo member Hussam Badran said that a comprehensive popular resistance is an idea that deserves implementation and follow-up.
“We are sending a message, first and foremost, to the occupation: we are united; even if there are disagreements here and there, they are superficial and normal.”
Badran was speaking during a joint interview with Fatah Central Committee member Ahmad Hilles on Palestine TV, and announced that both movements maintain daily contact and seek to work jointly in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and abroad to implement the needed resistance to confront the Israeli plan.
Badran's appearance on the official television and announcement of a comprehensive popular resistance with Fatah marks an important shift in the movement's policy, which has long refused to recognize popular resistance as an approach.
The official stressed that his movement is ready to reach a Palestinian national consensus to confront plans and conspiracies according to mechanisms to be agreed upon in various arenas.
“Our people have an enormous amount of skepticism with regard to the potential for national unity. Previous attempts did not end up having an impact on the ground,” admitted Badran.
However, he indicated that this time both are determined to take gradual steps and build confidence with the people, whether in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip.
Badran said that Hamas’ duty is to support Fatah, vowing to stand by the movement in face of the occupation.
The announcement also enhances recent contacts between the two movements after they declared they were setting their differences aside and looking forward to a new stage to confront the Israeli plans to annex part of the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Hilles indicated that the daily meetings between the two movements resulted in the joint conference.
He noted that the leaderships of both Fatah and Hamas are aware that real and serious steps must be taken in this critical stage.
Hilles also announced that both Hamas and Fatah aim to reach complete Palestinian unity, adding that the joint committees are working together to confront the occupations’ plans.
“Our people have been and continue to be skeptical, and they’re justified in that. Is this time different? We say yes,” Hilles said.
He stressed that division will cost more than reconciliation, stressing that the Palestinian people is united in the face of occupation.
Last week, member of Fatah's Central Committee Jibril al-Rajoub and deputy chief of Hamas politburo Saleh Arouri held a joint press conference via video conferencing announcing that the two movements are ready to reach a national agreement, including the types of struggle and resistance against the Israeli annexation plan.
The conference, which was announced just a few hours before it was held, was a surprise to the Palestinians as well as the Israelis, after many previous attempts at rapprochement were unsuccessful.
These recent developments constitute a turning point in the Palestinian struggle against Israel’s annexation plans, however, it remains unknown whether they will lead to a broader agreement ending the division.
