Haniyeh backs statehood, but not at any price

Ismail Haniyeh says his government supports statehood, but not at any price.

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- The prime minister in Gaza said Friday that his government supported the establishment of a Palestinian state on liberated lands, but not in exchange for recognizing Israel or giving up rights.

Ismail Haniyeh said Palestinian land is an Islamic endowment that cannot be negotiated.

He said efforts by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank were unilateral and being made without consultations with other factions, allowing Israel to keep 78 percent of Palestinian land in a "dead end" move.

Speaking with a Tunisian and Kuwaiti delegation on Friday, Haniyeh added that the Palestinian people had fought for 60 years to liberate their land and will not give up their rights, especially the right of return.

He added that steps taken on any basis other than rights would be harmful. "We support (creating a) a state that reflects the Palestinian people's dignity, and we won't beg for a state.

"We will continue the fight and remain steadfast because we feel victory is near."

Meanwhile at the United Nations, the Security Council's admissions committee held its first meeting Friday to review and assess the PLO's application for full UN membership, an initiative of Hamas' rivas in Fatah.

The standing committee on the admission of new members to the world body is comprised of all 15 Security Council members, who are being represented by their UN ambassadors.

On Thursday, the foreign minister in the West Bank government said that eight Security Council members were guaranteed to vote in favor of the bid for full membership of the United Nations.

The bid will need nine votes to pass the Security Council, but the US has vowed to veto the measure if it comes up for a vote. The US is one of the five permanent members of the council who have veto power.

Maan News Agency