Hamas MP calls for the public broadcast of reconciliation talks with Fatah

A Hamas member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Ismail Al Ashqar, has proposed the public broadcast of reconciliation talks with Fatah so the people would see who is responsible for breaching pledges.

In a statement issued this week, Al Ashqar said that his movement deals with the issue of the reconciliation with Fatah as “a strategic objective that must be achieved as soon as possible.” On the opposite side, he said: “Fatah is still dealing with the reconciliation as a secondary issue.”

Al Ashqar said that the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, breached the findings of the latest agreement when he issued a presidential decree calling for the formation of a government and general elections within three months. However, according to the agreement, these measures were scheduled take place within six months.

Al Ashqar reaffirmed Hamas’ eagerness to hold the elections and its plans to take all necessary measures to ensure it is conducted freely and fairly.

Regarding the prisoners’ file, Al Ashqar, who heads of the security committee in the PLC, said that the number of Hamas members in the West Bank jails now stands at 63 and increasing daily.

On the other hand, of the 56 Fatah members in Gaza jails, all have been released except 15; most of whom were convicted for murders or collaboration with the Israeli occupation.