Hamas 'refuses' Palestinian statehood bid if it 'concedes' rights

Hamas said yesterday that it “refuses” the Palestinian bid to the UN Security Council if it “concedes” any of the Palestinian rights and principle, spokesman Sami Abu-Zuhri said.

In a statement, Abu-Zuhri reiterated that his movement would not accept any form of the bid if it harmed any Palestinian national principles, mainly regarding the land, Jerusalem and the right of return.

Abu-Zuhri warned against responding to the pressure which is being put on the Palestinians by the international parties.

He renewed his movement’s refusal to the return to the “absurd” track of talks and stressed that any Palestinian political stances must be based on national consensus.

Last week, Jordan submitted the Palestinian bid on behalf of the Arab group in the UNSC. Jordan should have called for voting on the bid within 24 hours, but it has yet to do so. This has increased ambiguity over the issue.

UN sources told the Anadolu Agency that the situation in the UNSC is not appropriate so the bid did not go for voting. Two days ago, the US said that it would veto the bid.