Hamas calls for real progress

A member of the Political Office of the Hamas movement, Izzat Al-Rashaq, said on Wednesday: "Mr. Salim Zanoun's invitation for the head of the National Assembly, Speaker Aziz Duweik, the brother of the President of the Legislative Council, to participate in the meetings of the Central Committee was not the step that needed to be taken, and not what the Palestinian people is waiting for.” Adding: “Our nation does not need symbolic gestures of reconciliation, but for real, serious, and sustained steps to be taken towards the implementation of the reconciliation agreement.” He stated today that before tomorrow he wants there to be a real will, and a national decision to move forwards towards the implementation of all the issues included in the reconciliation agreement, and for obstacles such as the insistence on Salam Fayyad for the presidency, or any others to be overcome, stating: “This disrupts the reconciliation, and disregards the interests of our people." He said in a press statement: "The problem is that some people continue to place their bets on the failed peace process, which is completely dead. Some people are under the delusions that it can be revived from its grave…The biggest problem is finding the Prime Minister - the only condition in the specifications is that America agrees on him... even if it angers 99.99% of our people." Al-Rashaq said that Hamas "wants to activate the framework of the interim leadership of the Palestinian people that was stipulated in the Cairo agreement” adding: “It is not the case that the brother of the President of the Legislative Council, Abu Al-Adib will attend the Central meeting. I am not questioning the intentions of the brother of Abu Al-Adib, and his sincere desire to combine efforts. However, we don't want to jump on the benefits of the reconciliation, and its steps and agreed upon issues. If symbolic gestures are required, then every day we are ready to give symbolic gestures and positivity…But is this enough? And is it what our people are waiting for?" Izzat Al-Rashaq stressed that "I understand the earnest and sincere desire to unite ranks to work together to implement the reconciliation agreement, and to accelerate the formation of the government. The first meeting has been held under the interim leadership of our people, the release of detainees, and the activation of the legislature; this is what is required...real steps, not symbolic and formal ones. Therefore, the presence of the Central Council is pointless, and so it is natural that the brother of the President of the Council should apologize for his attendance.” Al-Rashaq denied that Hamas is representative of the Central Council or the National Assembly.