Hamas chief Haniyeh
Haniyeh: 'Anyone thinking we will stop at protests is dreaming'
Hamas political bureau chief Haniyeh cautions Palestinians will not be satisfied merely with demonstrations in protest of President Trump's decision to recognize J'lem as Israel's capital; 'The blessed intifada shows willingness to sacrifice lives,' Haniyeh adds shortly before rockets launched at Israel from Gaza.
Head of Hamas's political bureau Ismail Haniyeh said during an interview to a Palestinian television channel Friday evening—after hours of clashes
in Gaza and the West Bank and shortly before rockets being launched
at Israel from Gaza—that, "Anyone thinking we will be satisfied with mere protests is dreaming."
"Scores of Palestinians proved without a shadow of a doubt Jerusalem is the capital of all free men of the world. We are hereby renewing our oath to Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Neither Trump nor anyone else can change the historic and geographic truth and the identity of the holy city," Haniyeh cautioned.
Haniyeh then went on to thank the thousands of Palestinians who took to the streets to protest in the wake of President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital earlier this week. The Hamas chief added Turkey was expected to hold an "emergency Islamic summit meeting" on the matter.
Haniyeh's interview came a short time before a rocket was launched at Israel from the Gaza Strip, and intercepted by the Iron Dome system. "Today's blessed intifada communicated two messages: the first is refusal to President Donald Trump's decision and the second is the willingness to sacrifice life in defense of Jerusalem," Haniyeh declared after hours of violent clashes in the West Bank and Gaza that reportedly claimed the life of one Palestinian and wounded hundreds others.
Hamas chief Haniyeh said 'mere protests' will not suffice
Clashes in Jerusalem Friday
The senior Hamas official also thanked protesters in the West Bank and Gaza, and throughout the Middle East. "I wish to thank all Palestinians and sons of the Arab and Islamic nation. Anyone thinking our position will conclude with protests is dreaming. We will adhere to our strategic plan until the finish point: the liberation of Jerusalem and all of Palestine's lands," he vowed.
Haniyeh, Hamas officials marching in Gaza
The head of Hamas's political bureau went on to say he spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who will be holding an urgent summit meeting on Jerusalem. "The Emir of Qatar also kept me abreast on efforts put into the (Jerusalem) matter. We meet with Azzam al-Ahmad and the Fatah delegation (Thursday) and spoke at length on how to handle Trump's decision, both politically and on the ground," Haniyeh said.
"The Security Council must discuss this violation of its resolutions, it must say 'no' to Trump. Trump's decision harms not only the peace process but also the stability of both the region and the world. The Security Council must be held responsible for Palestinian lives," the Hamas chief declared.
Haniyeh, Hamas officials in Gaza
The Palestinian Liberation Organization's Secretary General Saeb Erekat was also interviewed—by the Russian RT Arabic network—and said that Palestinians will not be conversing with the US on the peace process until President Trump reverses his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Erekat also claimed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman did not exert any pressures on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during the latter's visit to Riyadh, contrary to reports.
"Saudi Arabia told the US Jerusalem was a red line," Erekat said, adding the Arab countries were united in their positions that Jerusalem was indeed a red line.
