Palestine Authority 'ready to shun violence'
Jerusalem, July 27 (PTI): In a major shift in policy, the Palestine Authority (PA) government led by Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas today proposed to shun "armed struggle" in its bid to shore up a peace deal with Israel.
The proposals, presented to PA ministers today, requires the approval of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Sources in Israel said "the proposals are important and honours past agreement with the Jewish country."
The new guidelines seek restoration of pre-1967 conditions between the two countries. On the dispute over Jerusalem, it says the holy city would serve as the capital of both states.
It also urges the refugee problem to be solved on the basis of UN resolutions thus seeking to pave way for the return of thousands of Palestinians who fled during wartime.
Islamic faction Hamas, which seized control in the Gaza Strip following violent confrontation against PA forces, has slammed the proposal, vowing to continue its armed struggle.
The group's spokesman in Gaza, Ayman Taha, told Israel Radio that "no decision can erase the resistance to the occupation."
The platform presented by the government today however stresses that it is committed to PA President Mahmoud Abbas' call for a "popular struggle against the Israeli occupation".
The guidelines also include a pledge to restore PA rule on the Gaza Strip and extensively blames Hamas for "deviously and forcefully" taking over its institutions.
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