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Hamas to Join the PLO

(Al-Ahram-Egypt) Khalid Amayreh - The Palestinian Islamic resistance group, Hamas, and its junior sister, the Islamic Jihad, have decided in principle to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Hamas feels it is strong enough and confident enough now to join the PLO, not as a "newcomer" but a full partner. Despite its successes and preeminence in the intifada, Hamas has had until now little impact on the formulation of national policies affecting the Palestinian people. According to Mahmoud Al-Zahhar, one of the main factors contributing to Hamas' decision is a growing concern that the PLO and the PA are not reliable enough to be entrusted "alone" with the national cause. "I can tell you that one of the main reasons for joining the PLO is to prevent it from conceding to Israel on paramount national issues," said Al-Zahhar on Tuesday. When asked if he thought that the inclusion of Hamas into the PLO would radicalize the organization and consequently make a peace settlement with Israel even more unlikely, Al-Zahhar pointed out that Hamas, and the bulk of Palestinians, do not believe anyway that "peace is around the corner." "What is happening now and what will go on for many years to come is not a real political process. It is actually no more than public relations and crisis management; the Americans know it, the Zionists know it, and even the PA knows it," he said.
2005-04-01 00:00:00
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