Hamas leader: No peace for Israel until the Palestine question is settled

The founder of the Hamas movement, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, has asserted that Israel cannot enjoy peace unless the Palestinian question, the essence of the conflict, is settled.

In a statement to the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am issued on Sunday, Sheikh Yassin added that the return of the Palestinian refugees to their homeland and all Palestinian holy sites and territories is a basic matter for the establishment of peace in the region.

He reiterated Hamas' opposition to joining with the Palestinian Authority in the peace process, describing this process as "a surrender project."

He continued that Hamas will not take part in liquidating the cause of Palestine nor give up resisting the Israeli occupation by the gun.

He also asserted that Israel cannot enjoy peace without settling the question of Palestine, even if it has reached peace with both Syria and Lebanon.