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Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal. (Archives)
Last update - 11:55 02/04/2008
Meshal: Hamas backs Palestinian state in '67 borders
By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israek, Khaled Meshal 

Hamas supports the united Palestinian position calling for the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, including Jerusalem, and the right of return for refugees, Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal told the Palestinian daily Al-Ayam.

In a special interview with Wednesday's edition of the paper, Meshal said the Palestinian position had received a vote of consensus during the national accords of 2006 and that this position is considered acceptable to the Arab world at large.

Meshal was asked about the claims by Israel and the United States that Hamas is seeking to destroy Israel. He said Hamas has committed itself to a political plan, which it follows, and called on the Americans, the Europeans and other international entities to conduct themselves in accordance with this political truth, and to judge Hamas based on its political plan, not based on what people may imagine.
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Meshal was also asked about Israel's claims that he is no longer in charge of Hamas and that he lost control to Ahmed al-Ja'abari, the head of the group's military wing in the Gaza Strip. Meshal responded by saying Israel's views are like the stock market: sometimes Khaled Meshal is responsible for Hamas and sometimes he has lost control.

"I laugh, since they do not know Hamas or its decision-making processes," he said.

The Hamas leader also said there had been several Israeli attempts to contact him, but he turned them down.

He explained in the interview that Hamas is interested in a tahadiyeh, a complete cease-fire in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, but that Israel is willing to agree to such a deal only in the Strip. He said secret contacts are underway with the Europeans, but that the Americans are applying pressure in an effort to keep these contacts from broadening.

Regarding the prisoner exchange deal for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Meshal said that it is not linked to the tahadiyeh but that negotiations are not progressing at this point. He said the Egyptians are still mediating, but that some Europeans are contributing as well, and the Egyptians know about it.

Meshal said Israel continues to refuse to release prisoners who have been sentenced to life terms, even though it changed its criteria for releasing prisoners.

Two months ago, Meshal said, an agreement was reached with Egypt for the initial release of some 350 prisoners in exchange for the transfer of Gilad Shalit to the Egyptians; then, 100 more prisoners would be released, when Shalit reached Israel. During the second stage of the deal, another 550 prisoners would be released.

Meshal said he was surprised that Israel rejected most of the names on the Hamas list of prisoners, and confirmed that Hamas had included Marwan Barghouti on its list.

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      1.   Definitely should be a Pal right of return to Palestine 02:26  |  newageblues 02/04/08
      2.   So now even Meshal admits 02:36  |  Mark Lincoln 02/04/08
      3.   Mishal is being modest in his claims,he should ask israel to with 02:38  |  lakshmi 02/04/08
      4.   HAMAS AND THE BORDER OF ISRAEL 02:40  |  A FAJER 02/04/08
      5.   ARAB "PEACE" PLAN IN REALITY AN ARAB DECLARATION OF WAR 02:53  |  G.Marcus 02/04/08
      6.   Meshal can go to HELL 03:13  |  Brod 02/04/08
      7.   ALL THEY NEED TO FULLFILL THEIR GENOCIDAL CHARTER 03:17  |  David P. 02/04/08
      8.   Palestinians Cease What? 03:27  |  Zev 02/04/08
      9.   What 1967 lines?!?!??! 03:38  |  Adrian de Klerk 02/04/08
      10.   What did Israeli receive by the disengagement from Gaza? 03:41  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 02/04/08
      11.   What did Israeli receive by the disengagement from Gaza? 03:41  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 02/04/08
      12.   All "refugees" can return to new "Palestine" not Israel 03:49  |  Free Gilad Shalit 02/04/08
      13.   Hamas toes the Arab line on public relations for the West 04:16  |  Sam 02/04/08
      14.   Truth 04:19  |  Ron 02/04/08
      15.   Meshal reiterating old, but positive, facts 04:23  |  Tosefta 02/04/08
      16.   What peace?!?!?!? 04:32  |  Adrian de Klerk 02/04/08
      17.   Hamas is a cancer, treat it as such. Read their charter 04:35  |  David 02/04/08
      18.   2.Mark Lincoln,Hamas had always said that israel exists de facto! 04:39  |  lakshmi 02/04/08
      19.   The Right of Return to Israel within 1967 lines 04:39  |  Daniel Leopold 02/04/08
      20.   Meshaal is signaling military defeat, but demographic war. 04:40  |  Fortuna Benmayor 02/04/08
      21.   Mark Lincoln-#2 bargaining for what 04:42  |  Daniel Leopold 02/04/08
      22.   Don`t spray Meshaal`s ear this time around. 04:47  |  Fortuna Benmayor 02/04/08
      23.   Mark Lincoln, bargaining point? 04:48  |  Bruce 02/04/08
      24.   YAWWWWWN 04:53  |  Jon 02/04/08
      25.   Can we please have this play date? 05:21  |  Panther Jet 02/04/08
      26.   Israel`s worst nightmare 05:23  |  Harold 02/04/08
      27.   Tosefta - Meshal responding to facts on the ground 05:23  |  Mark Lincoln 02/04/08
      28.   They accept a Palestinian state, not that they accept Israe 05:25  |  McQueen 02/04/08
      29.   Define Sensless Tosefta 05:27  |  Mark Lincoln 02/04/08
      30.   #1, newageblues 06:13  |  Khalid 02/04/08
      31.   Arabs & barter 06:20  |  Ilya 02/04/08
      32.   Newageblues #1 - spot on re compensation 06:25  |  Ilya 02/04/08
      33.   Well We get to hear this weeks Meshals 5 minutes of fame 06:38  |  dish it out 02/04/08
      34.   Response to # 9 Adrian De Klerk 06:43  |  Shepherd 02/04/08
      35.   Israels supporters, print and post this article, lest you forget 06:45  |  Natallie Durson 02/04/08
      36.   Meshal`s ridiculous offer 06:53  |  Abe 02/04/08
      37.   No one in Gaza will ever want to permanently live in Gaza 07:00  |  Steve 02/04/08
      38.   Well, thanks Avi Issacharoff & Haaretz for this update! 07:09  |  Smadar 02/04/08
      39.   #9 Beg you pardon, Adrian? 07:16  |  Johnboy 02/04/08
      40.   #28 Your title is quite right, McQueen 07:26  |  Johnboy 02/04/08
      41.   #10What did Israeli receive by the disengagement from Gaza? 07:35  |  Denise 02/04/08
      42.   A GENIUS MOVE, LET SEE WHAT HAPPEN NEXT 07:55  |  indrajaya 02/04/08
      43.   A GENIUS MOVE, LET SEE WHAT HAPPEN NEXT 07:58  |  indrajaya 02/04/08
      44.   Hamas TV: Gaza evacuation by Israel leads to destruction of Israe 08:07  |  Jean Van Daem 02/04/08
      45.   You can`t return to where you`ve never been RoR is dead 08:34  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 02/04/08
      46.   People who consider that pounding a frightened little town 08:38  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 02/04/08
      47.   Hi Smadar: If he won`t talk to Israelis there`s no dialogue 08:46  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 02/04/08
      48.   #5: have u even read it? 08:57  |  what 02/04/08
      49.   #5: have u even read it? 08:57  |  what 02/04/08
      50.   Re # 14 Ron 08:58  |  Mohammed 02/04/08
      51.   #6: what if i am an aethiest 09:03  |  what 02/04/08
      52.   NO WAY......on the oher hand.... 09:45  |  Dolly 02/04/08
      53.   "a fully sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders" ?? 09:57  |  PETER SM 02/04/08
      54.   The day when Likud will "moderate" as much as Hamas....... 10:12  |  Swiss (Dino) 02/04/08
      55.   I`m sure this is true 10:17  |  Clickfool 02/04/08
      56.   #3 Lakshmi - Partition lines, refugees, Israeli Arabs 10:17  |  Moti 02/04/08
      57.   Good opening offer, awaiting the next 10:19  |  FOX 02/04/08
      58.   Mark Lincoln knows so much 10:25  |  FOX 02/04/08
      59.   `67 borders too good for Israel 10:36  |  Chanalau, Tova 02/04/08
      60.   Diplomacy, then violence 10:41  |  Jean Van Daem 02/04/08
      61.   For S.F. # 10 10:46  |  Clickfool 02/04/08
      62.   Margie 41 Are you talking about Jews or Pals? 11:04  |  Michael 02/04/08
      63.   how serious is he???????? 11:04  |  Israeli4Peace 02/04/08
      64.   Jerusalem?????? 11:10  |  Realitycheck 02/04/08
      65.   Meshal: Israel Trusts You As Far As They Can Throw Your ... 11:12  |  Lavi 02/04/08
      66.   One State Solution for peace and security 11:17  |  Yohan 02/04/08
      67.   Translation of headline = Hamas backs end of the Jewish state 11:18  |  Simcha 02/04/08
      68.   durson,terror cheerleader is correct in that HAMAS =ABBAS=SAUDI 11:20  |  Seasoned Observer 02/04/08
      69.   For Peter SM # 49 11:20  |  Clickfool 02/04/08
      70.   Lincoln, why Sharon was elected? 11:21  |  FOX