Fatah official: Armed "resistance is still [in] the genetic code of all Fatah members"
El-Hadath, sister channel of Al Arabiya News, posted an interview with Deputy Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub to Youtube.
El-Hadath interviewer: “What about the armed activity, sir? You mentioned the issue of armed activity and resistance – for Hamas, this is a fundamental thing.”
Deputy Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub: “Listen, Sir. No, no, no. Let no one argue with Fatah on this issue. We were the ones who led the armed struggle, and the resistance is still part of our national principles. Nevertheless, we agreed on May 4, 2011 – all factions of the Palestinian activity, and it was [Hamas leader] Khaled Mashaal who read out the plan on their behalf – [we agreed] that at this stage, popular resistance was a strategic choice. We are a project of liberation, not a project of suicide. We are a project for the establishment of a state, not a project that won’t lead anywhere, or lead to anarchy. Sir, [armed] resistance is still [in] the genetic code of all Fatah members. But the resistance our people will be able to endure is a resistance that encircles the occupation. The discussion at this stage, about ‘armed resistance or unarmed resistance’ – plays into the Israelis’ hands. The Israelis want to draw us into their court, but we won’t play in their court.”
El-Hadath interviewer: “That is, Fatah is not against the [armed] resistance; it [resistance] is one of its principles, but the choice at this time is the negotiation option.”
Deputy Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub: “Sir, forget about the negotiation or no negotiation option. What we agreed upon on May 4 is the political plan for the Palestinian people’s struggle. The Palestinian state is our first priority; popular resistance has the consent of the people. Let no one play with people’s feelings, [trying to make it seem] like he’s resisting [the occupation] and the others aren’t resisting. I hope that our brothers in Hamas will understand this, and that they will re-examine [things] to guarantee the unity of our political conduct and our struggle. Resistance as an idea and as [a mode of] behavior is still part of the national and organizational principles of all Fatah members.”
El-Hadath interviewer: “What about the armed activity, sir? You mentioned the issue of armed activity and resistance – for Hamas, this is a fundamental thing.”
Deputy Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub: “Listen, Sir. No, no, no. Let no one argue with Fatah on this issue. We were the ones who led the armed struggle, and the resistance is still part of our national principles. Nevertheless, we agreed on May 4, 2011 – all factions of the Palestinian activity, and it was [Hamas leader] Khaled Mashaal who read out the plan on their behalf – [we agreed] that at this stage, popular resistance was a strategic choice. We are a project of liberation, not a project of suicide. We are a project for the establishment of a state, not a project that won’t lead anywhere, or lead to anarchy. Sir, [armed] resistance is still [in] the genetic code of all Fatah members. But the resistance our people will be able to endure is a resistance that encircles the occupation. The discussion at this stage, about ‘armed resistance or unarmed resistance’ – plays into the Israelis’ hands. The Israelis want to draw us into their court, but we won’t play in their court.”
El-Hadath interviewer: “That is, Fatah is not against the [armed] resistance; it [resistance] is one of its principles, but the choice at this time is the negotiation option.”
Deputy Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub: “Sir, forget about the negotiation or no negotiation option. What we agreed upon on May 4 is the political plan for the Palestinian people’s struggle. The Palestinian state is our first priority; popular resistance has the consent of the people. Let no one play with people’s feelings, [trying to make it seem] like he’s resisting [the occupation] and the others aren’t resisting. I hope that our brothers in Hamas will understand this, and that they will re-examine [things] to guarantee the unity of our political conduct and our struggle. Resistance as an idea and as [a mode of] behavior is still part of the national and organizational principles of all Fatah members.”