Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reached a political agreement today, but Hamas said the deal did not imply that it now recognised Israel.
Below are key phrases from the final draft document, which has yet to be signed by faction leaders, and a guide as to the way in
which they may be interpreted.
The introduction says the document is "based on not recognising the legitimacy of occupation".
* Hamas considers the whole of Israel to be occupied land while Abbas' Fatah takes this to mean the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem, captured in the 1967 war.
The document calls for a state "on all lands occupied in 1967 with the Noble Shrine (Jerusalem) as its capital".
* This might imply acceptance of Israel on the rest of the land, but Hamas says it does not and that any state in the West Bank and Gaza would only be a step towards the ultimate goal.
The accord calls for "strengthening the status of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of our people".
* The implies acceptance of Israel since Abbas' umbrella Palestinian Organisation does so, though not all current PLO members recognise Israel. Hamas has yet to join.
The document speaks of a right of "resistance using different means and concentrating resistance in 1967 occupied lands".
* Hamas interprets this as meaning that while armed resistance may be concentrated in land captured in 1967, it is not ruled out in the rest of Israel. Abbas opposes armed resistance, but this clause was demanded by the militants.
The document calls for a comprehensive political plan based on "Arab legitimacy and international resolutions that are fair to our people and preserve their rights."
* Acceptance of all these resolutions would essentially mean recognition of Israel, but Hamas says the latter part of the clause means it only has to accept the parts of any agreements that it wants to -- in other words not those recognising Israel.
The document calls for a national unity government "that enjoys Palestinian popular and political support ... as well as Arab and international support."
* Hamas still wants to lead a new unity government, but the clause on international support might make that more difficult if -- as expected -- a Western aid embargo continues.
The accord stipulates that "administering negotiations is the jurisdiction of the PLO and the President of the Palestinian National Authority."
* This implies an acceptance of negotiations -- though does not say with Israel. It clearly puts responsibility in the hands of Abbas, who wants statehood talks with Israel. at the same time, the PLO -- with Hamas participation -- would still have to approve any deal.
The accord demands a search for "the best and most suitable means" for resisting occupation "taking into consideration our people's higher national interest".
* Abbas' supporters say this raises questions over the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel by Hamas and other groups.
- REUTERS
Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reached a political agreement today, but Hamas said the deal did not imply that it now recognised Israel.
Below are key phrases from the final draft document, which has yet to be signed by faction leaders, and a guide as to the way in
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