GAZA CITY, June 27, 2006 (AFP) – All Palestinian factions except Islamic Jihad reached an agreement Tuesday on a "national conciliation document" which implicitly recognises Israel’s right to exist, sources in Fatah and Hamas said.
The document, which the governing Islamist movement Hamas had previously refused to accept during crisis talks, implies recognition of Israel in a call for an independent Palestinian state on land conquered in 1967.
The blueprint, drawn up by senior jailed faction leaders, also advocates an end to attacks in Israel and the creation of a national unity government.
Fatah parliamentary bloc chief Azzam al-Ahmed said "small changes" had been made to the text as part of the agreement, but did not elaborate further.
The plan was crafted by senior Fatah figure Marwan Barghuti, Hamas member Abdelkhaleq al-Natsheh, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine number two Abdelrahim Malluh, Bassam al-Saadi, an Islamic Jihad leader, and Mustafa Badarneh from the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Here are the main points of the original text:
— The Palestinian people endeavour to liberate their land and realise their rights of freedom, return (of refugees), independence and self-determination with the creation of an independent state on all territories occupied in 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital.
— To accelerate what was agreed upon in Cairo in March 2005 (at Palestinian talks) regarding the modernisation and revival of the PLO, and Hamas and Islamic Jihad membership of the PLO, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
— The Palestinian people are entitled to resist by various means and focus that resistance on territories occupied in 1967 while also engaging in political action, negotiations and diplomatic action.
— To protect and reinforce the Palestinian Authority as the nucleus of the future state.
— To form a national unity government on a basis that secures the participation of all parliamentary blocs, especially Fatah and Hamas.
— Negotiations (with Israel) are the jurisdiction of the PLO and the president of the Palestinian Authority… on condition that any final agreement be presented to parliament for ratification or put to a referendum.
— To reject an oppressive siege against the Palestinians, led by the United States and Israel, and urge Arab governments to support the Palestinian people, the PLO and the Palestinian Authority.
— To denounce all forms of division that can lead to internal conflicts and ban the use of weapons, regardless of the reasons.
— The need to reform and develop the branches of Palestinian security so that they can defend the homeland and citizens against aggression and occupation, and maintain public order and end the state of security chaos.
