Hamas, Islamic Jihad oppose settlement with Israel

The official spokesman for the Hamas movement, Ibrahim Ghoushe, has stressed that the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements as well as all Palestinian groups in opposition to the settlement with Israel will create Palestinian national terms of reference as a substitute for the PLO, which has been changed by the Palestinian President led by Yasser Arafat.

In an interview with the Kuwaiti daily al-Seyasah published on Sunday, Ghoushe added that his movement will not start any dialogue with Israel or negotiate with it. He, on the other hand, denied news that Hamas has opened secret contact channels with Israel.

He added that the Hamas movement will be always committed to the Palestinian principles and ready to make a dialogue with all Palestinian groups who believe in the rights of the Palestinian people on the grounds of resisting the Israeli aggressions.

Ghouseh said that Hamas is present in Damascus and is practicing a media and political role and does not interfere in Syrian affairs.