Political Head of Hamas Calls For An End to Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks

No More Talks: Khaled Meshal, head of the political wing of Hamas, spoke from Ankara, Turkey, this week, calling for an end to peace talks. Image by Getty Images

By Jack Khoury (Haaretz) October 9, 2013

The head of the political wing of Hamas, Khaled Meshal, implicitly called on the Palestinian Authority Wednesday to cease peace negotiations with Israel immediately, claiming that continuing the talks would endanger the status of Jerusalem. Meshal, who is living in Qatar with other Hamas leaders, was in Ankara this week, where spoke by video to a rally in Beirut. Meshal said only armed struggle against Israel could achieve the right of return and protect Jerusalem.

Meshal called for reconciliation among all Palestinian factions, saying events in the Arab world were pushing some Arab countries and leaders to agree to concessions that endangered the status and future of Jerusalem. Without mentioning the Palestinian Authority by name, he clearly attacked the PA and its president, Mahmoud Abbas, for renewing talks with Israel, which he said constituted a danger to Jerusalem’s future status.

Meshal said plans were afoot that would lead to the destruction of the Al Aqsa Mosque because extremists in Israel had become influential in the country’s decision-making process.

Without mentioning Egypt or Syria by name, Meshal said every people has a right to fight for its freedom, but that conflicts within the Arab world should steer clear of bloodshed, ethnic strife and outside influence.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO