<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Occupied Palestine | فلسطين]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[occupiedpalestine]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/author/hajarhajar/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Hamas, Islamic Jihad dismiss Abbas&nbsp;speech]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<hr align="left" size="1" width="100%" />
<p><strong>Related: ▣ FAQ ▣ <a href="https://occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/faq-on-palestinians-statehood-bid/" target="_blank">Palestine Statehood Bid</a></strong></p>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="100%" />
<p><img src="https://i2.wp.com/www.maannews.net/images/PhotoViewer/30794.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Maan News Agency | Sept 16, 2011</p>
<p>GAZA CITY (Ma’an) &#8212; Hamas and Islamic Jihad late Friday dismissed President Mahmoud Abbas&#8217; UN membership initiative and criticized a speech in which he expressed hope that peace talks would resume soon.</p>
<p>Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said Abbas’ speech was an effort in marketing for a return to peace talks with Israel, while going to the UN to seek membership served the same goal.</p>
<p>Abbas is placing unilateral steps ahead of the Palestinians&#8217; fate, he told Ma&#8217;an.</p>
<p>Barhoum said Hamas would play no part in an initiative premised on recognizing Israel or giving up on Palestinian rights such as the right of return and right to self-determination.</p>
<p>Abbas&#8217; references to reconciliation contrast with unilateral actions he is taking out of step with the national consensus, Barhoum added, whereas Hamas wants a national strategy backed by the region.</p>
<p>Islamic Jihad, meanwhile, said Abbas contradicted himself during the announcement in Ramallah, particularly when noting that negotiations reached a dead end while insisting he was ready to start them again.</p>
<p>Spokesman Daoud Shehab said going to the Security Council would accomplish little for the Palestinians. Instead, Abbas should focus implementing a reconciliation deal signed in May, he said.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=420813">Source</a></p>
]]></html><thumbnail_url><![CDATA[https://occupiedpalestine.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/30794.jpg?fit=440%2C330]]></thumbnail_url><thumbnail_width><![CDATA[440]]></thumbnail_width><thumbnail_height><![CDATA[317]]></thumbnail_height></oembed>