Haniyeh: Palestinians will not recognize Israel
Published 25 June 2013 21:26
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=608441

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday that
Palestinians would not recognize Israel, despite the siege on Gaza and two
wars.

"We had two wars in which hundreds of people died, and thousands of acres of
land were destroyed, but Palestinians did not and will not recognize
Israel," the Gaza premier said as he welcomed international activists to the
enclave.

Haniyeh said Israel's blockade aimed to limit the influence of the Islamic
model outside the Gaza Strip, and to isolate Palestine in an attempt to
force Palestinians to recognize Israel and accept the conditions of the
Mideast Quartet.

The premier thanked activists who came to Palestine, describing solidarity
visits as a holy duty, and he urged more supporters to come.

Haniyeh said aid groups who visited Gaza in solidarity had a political and a
humanitarian message, showing that Gaza did not stand alone.

"These groups, along with the help of God and the Palestinian steadfastness,
eased the siege," he added.

The Hamas leader highlighted his government's efforts to generate support
for Jerusalem.

"The (Israeli) occupation built a hundred synagogues around al-Aqsa to
deceive the world and falsify facts," he added.

Haniyeh also called on Palestinians to support of the Arab and Palestinian
prisoners of Israel, particularly those on hunger strike.