Hamas 'will never recognise Israel'

Saturday, 11 February 2012 10:14

TEHRAN: Hamas "will never recognise Israel," its Gaza prime minister said on Saturday in a speech in Iran that is likely to complicate Palestinian efforts to form a unity government in the teeth of opposition from the Jewish state.

"They want us to recognise the Israeli occupation and cease resistance but, as the representative of the Palestinian people and in the name of the entire world's freedom seekers, I am announcing from Azadi Square in Tehran that we will never recognise Israel," Ismail Haniya said.

"The resistance will continue until all Palestinian land, including Al-Quds (Jerusalem), has been liberated and all the refugees have returned," he said.

Haniya's reiteration of Hamas's long-held stance was made on the occasion of Iran's commemoration of its 1979 Islamic revolution.

The Gaza leader spoke to an estimated crowd of 30,000 from a stage alongside Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"The Iranian people are a partner in this victory," Haniya said. "God willing, we will meet you along with other Palestinians in a free Palestine, in its capital Al-Quds," he said.