PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas claims the Hamas is interested in continuing negotiations with Israel. “The Hamas agreement to give a chance for negotiating a state on the ’67 armistice lines, is a strategic change for the movement.”
Abbas stressed that there would not be an armed uprising after the September unilateral declaration of a PA state. “I cannot shoot at at Israel when each officer has only one rifle with little ammunition." Abbas said he opposed a violent struggle.
He revealed that the PA was offered the option of being an observer at the UN, like the Vatican, but refused, wanting full UN membership.