A senior Hamas official called the European Union plan a new "plot" against the Palestinian nation. Arab affairs analyst Dalit HaLevy reports that Hamas plans not to help Ehud Olmert implement his "turning inward" plan in any way.
The European Union proposal is for Hamas to lease to the Jewish residents the lands on which they reside in Judea and Samaria. This would be an interim solution towards Olmert's planned withdrawal from most of the areas. Hamas says it opposes any Israeli plan to unilaterally determine the final borders.
In truth, Hamas does not recognize the idea of borders at all, long claiming that Israel has no right to exist. This is evident from many clauses in the Hamas charter and statements by Hamas leaders. For instance, the man now serving as the PA's foreign minister, Mahmoud A-Zahar, said on BBC in 2003, "I'm telling you frankly, the attitude of Islam is not to accept a foreign state in this area... This is the attitude of thousands and millions of people... Islam is a supreme power in this area, sooner or later we are going to achieve our power, our moral principles, our virtue, in order to implement a real state."
However, A-Zahar did say this week that Hamas might be willing to consider a two-state solution, but only "if it satisfies the Palestinian demands... If not, we will have to ask the people."
A European Union diplomat quoted in the Jerusalem Post this week proposed the leasing plan as an alternative to Israel's annexation of the settlement blocs. It calls for the residents of Yesha to continue to remain Israeli citizens, pay Israeli taxes, and be protected by the IDF - but to pay a rental fee to the Palestinian Authority for their homes.
Muhammad Barghouti, the Hamas Authority's minister of labor, said that the Western countries had failed in pressuring Hamas to recognize Israel, and that they are therefore seeking alternative ways to promote Olmert's diplomatic plans. "We will not be a partner, directly or indirectly, to the Israeli unilateral withdrawal plan," Barghouti said.
A report in Haaretz today stated that Hamas had offered Israel a form of ceasefire. Hamas is willing to stop terror attacks against Israel if Israel stops acting against the terrorist organizations. As of now, Hamas continues to live up to its word to do nothing to stop terrorism. Israel fears that the offer is merely a ploy to allow the terrorists to continue arming, and that Hamas will feel free to activate terrorists whenever it wishes.
The European Union proposal is for Hamas to lease to the Jewish residents the lands on which they reside in Judea and Samaria. This would be an interim solution towards Olmert's planned withdrawal from most of the areas. Hamas says it opposes any Israeli plan to unilaterally determine the final borders.
In truth, Hamas does not recognize the idea of borders at all, long claiming that Israel has no right to exist. This is evident from many clauses in the Hamas charter and statements by Hamas leaders. For instance, the man now serving as the PA's foreign minister, Mahmoud A-Zahar, said on BBC in 2003, "I'm telling you frankly, the attitude of Islam is not to accept a foreign state in this area... This is the attitude of thousands and millions of people... Islam is a supreme power in this area, sooner or later we are going to achieve our power, our moral principles, our virtue, in order to implement a real state."
However, A-Zahar did say this week that Hamas might be willing to consider a two-state solution, but only "if it satisfies the Palestinian demands... If not, we will have to ask the people."
A European Union diplomat quoted in the Jerusalem Post this week proposed the leasing plan as an alternative to Israel's annexation of the settlement blocs. It calls for the residents of Yesha to continue to remain Israeli citizens, pay Israeli taxes, and be protected by the IDF - but to pay a rental fee to the Palestinian Authority for their homes.
Muhammad Barghouti, the Hamas Authority's minister of labor, said that the Western countries had failed in pressuring Hamas to recognize Israel, and that they are therefore seeking alternative ways to promote Olmert's diplomatic plans. "We will not be a partner, directly or indirectly, to the Israeli unilateral withdrawal plan," Barghouti said.
A report in Haaretz today stated that Hamas had offered Israel a form of ceasefire. Hamas is willing to stop terror attacks against Israel if Israel stops acting against the terrorist organizations. As of now, Hamas continues to live up to its word to do nothing to stop terrorism. Israel fears that the offer is merely a ploy to allow the terrorists to continue arming, and that Hamas will feel free to activate terrorists whenever it wishes.