Israeli-Arabs, he said, are one of the most important engines behind the drive to transform all of Israel into "Palestine." In particular, Mesh'al cited the Israeli-Arabs' role in the effort to overwhelm Israel through an Arab "right of return."
The Hamas leader's statements in Qatar were not the expression of a new stance, however. In December, a Hamas campaign video praised Arab citizens of Israel who wish to destroy the country "from within."
Israeli-Arabs are only one aspect of the pan-Arab, pan-Islamic strategy of Hamas, according to Mesh'al. The terrorist organization claims to represent all those identified as Palestinians throughout the world, but is also seeking to motivate the Arab and Islamic masses to act as a counterweight to Israeli dominance locally. The strategy of appealing to the wider circle of Arab and Muslim peoples is particularly relevant at this time, as the masses are at a stage of "awakening," Mesh'al said, apparently in reference to ongoing worldwide riots over Danish cartoons of Islam's founder, Muhammad.
Hamas policy, the terror organization's representative explained, is based on five pillars: resistance, political reform, steadfastness, deterrence and Arabism.
Mesh'al reiterated the Hamas view that the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza was a victory for the organization's policy of ongoing terrorism. The Israeli side, he said, is in withdrawal and more successes are to be expected.
"There is no liberation [of Islamic lands] without resistance, and there is no honor for the Islamic nation without resistance," Mesh'al declared, expressing confidence that the uncompromising position of Hamas will force world governments to accept the legitimacy of the organization.
Mesh'al's confidence regarding obtaining international recognition received a boost this week from Russia's plan to immediately open talks with Hamas. This weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "We believe that in order to return to the negotiating table between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, gearing towards the implementation of the Roadmap Plan, we may not exclude Hamas." Lavrov made the comments during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan and US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
At the same time, Hamas leaders are preparing for a Western suspension of funds to the PA by appealing to Arab and Muslim states globally. This week, a Hamas delegation is due to visit Saudi Arabia in search of replacement funding. Khaled Mesh'al's visit in Qatar was apparently also part of those efforts.
The Hamas leader's statements in Qatar were not the expression of a new stance, however. In December, a Hamas campaign video praised Arab citizens of Israel who wish to destroy the country "from within."
Israeli-Arabs are only one aspect of the pan-Arab, pan-Islamic strategy of Hamas, according to Mesh'al. The terrorist organization claims to represent all those identified as Palestinians throughout the world, but is also seeking to motivate the Arab and Islamic masses to act as a counterweight to Israeli dominance locally. The strategy of appealing to the wider circle of Arab and Muslim peoples is particularly relevant at this time, as the masses are at a stage of "awakening," Mesh'al said, apparently in reference to ongoing worldwide riots over Danish cartoons of Islam's founder, Muhammad.
Hamas policy, the terror organization's representative explained, is based on five pillars: resistance, political reform, steadfastness, deterrence and Arabism.
Mesh'al reiterated the Hamas view that the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza was a victory for the organization's policy of ongoing terrorism. The Israeli side, he said, is in withdrawal and more successes are to be expected.
"There is no liberation [of Islamic lands] without resistance, and there is no honor for the Islamic nation without resistance," Mesh'al declared, expressing confidence that the uncompromising position of Hamas will force world governments to accept the legitimacy of the organization.
Mesh'al's confidence regarding obtaining international recognition received a boost this week from Russia's plan to immediately open talks with Hamas. This weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "We believe that in order to return to the negotiating table between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, gearing towards the implementation of the Roadmap Plan, we may not exclude Hamas." Lavrov made the comments during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan and US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
At the same time, Hamas leaders are preparing for a Western suspension of funds to the PA by appealing to Arab and Muslim states globally. This week, a Hamas delegation is due to visit Saudi Arabia in search of replacement funding. Khaled Mesh'al's visit in Qatar was apparently also part of those efforts.