Hamas calls on Palestinian factions to boycott PNC meeting

Hamas has called on all Palestinian factions, national figures and various civil institutions to boycott the Palestinian National Council (PNC) which is due to be held at the end of the month in Ramallah.

In a statement issued yesterday, the movement warned of what it described as “serious consequences” to holding this meeting without national consensus, most notably the perpetuation of division”.

The movement praised the position of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which rejected holding the Palestinian National Council without a national consensus, described it as an “historic position”.

Yesterday the Popular Front, the second largest faction in the Palestinian Liberation Organisation after Fatah, announced that it will not attend the PNC meeting because Hamas and Islamic Jihad will not be able to attend.

Hamas: Abbas’ call for Hamas to disarm is ‘free help for Israel’

Hamas called on the Palestinian Authority and Fatah to respect the Palestinian consensus which rejects monopolising the Palestinian decision making process.

It stressed its strong support for the reform process adopted by the previous national agreements based on genuine partnership and achieving the Palestinian people’s aspirations.

The Palestinian National Council is the PLO’s congress and includes more than 750 members, representatives of Palestinian factions, unions and groups inside and outside the Palestinian territories.