Fatah: It is impossible to talk to Hamas

Fatah spokesman Nasser Al-Qudwa said yesterday that it is impossible to talk with Hamas about the Palestinian National Council (PNC), Quds Net News reported.

In a press conference held in Ramallah, Al-Qudwa said that the PNC must be held in order to “reactivate the PLO, which is the sole representative of the Palestinian people”.

He stressed that Fatah is interested in discussing this issue with all Palestinians factions, but questioned whether Hamas was “serious” about its plan to achieve reconciliation.

Al-Qudwa hailed Cairo’s efforts to push forward Palestinian unity, stressing that Gaza is “an important and basic part of the Palestinian national project”.

The Fatah official said: “This is not only an ethical position, but a first class political issue,” noting that regaining national unity is a “national necessity” in order to end the suffering of “our brothers in Gaza”.

Read more: Fatah delegation visits Cairo to discuss completion of Palestinian reconciliation

He also said that the remarks and measures of the Israeli officials, “reinforces settlement on Palestinian land”.

He also said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks about settlements were “provocative,” noting that Israeli laws related to settlements are “illegal because they are against international law”.

He added: “The state of Palestine is a historical right for Palestinians based on international resolutions.”

“There is no legitimacy for Israel’s existence without the existence of the state of Palestine.”