Haniyeh to Greece: Ignore blockade politics

The Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, has warned Greek authorities against getting entrapped in the politics of the Israeli blockade by derailing the sailing of the Freedom Flotilla II, which is heading toward Gaza. Haniyeh, speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Islamic University of Gaza, said, “I commend all flotilla supporters who insisted on breaking this unjust blockade.” Haniyeh stressed the importance of breaking free of this blockade and the importance of flotillas reaching Gaza, explaining that, “We want to inaugurate a nautical route the same way we inaugurated a land route and broke the blockade.” He added that: “Gaza triumphed over this plot and the blockade, as evidenced by the remarkable reconstruction of and construction in all sectors, public and private that we achieved." He also stressed that “the signing of the reconciliation agreement has now taken place despite the slow process, and the split is now behind us.” Haniyeh pointed out that, “The Palestinian case will benefit most from the Arab revolutions, as they brought back to Jerusalem and the Palestinian case its Arab dimension.” In addition, he considered the arrest of Sheikh Raed Salah in London an unjust decision, in opposition to human rights codes, and demanded the immediate release of the Sheikh. As for the reconciliation agreement, the Prime Minister said, “We went to sign the agreement fully conscious of what we were doing, and full of strength and desire, reflecting the hopes and dreams of our Palestinian people and all the good people of the free world who call for the unity of Palestine.” He continued: “We made the agreement for the sake of Jerusalem and the refugees, and to face the dangers and challenges around us. Even though it was a slow process, we got there in the end and we will never look back.” He considered the participation of Palestinian authorities in the graduation ceremony as a reflection of the “reconciliation atmosphere.” Haniyeh turned the conversation to the role of the “Arab Spring” in some of the Arab countries in the current climate, stating that, “Arab and Muslim nations are asking for a change in their political systems, and leaders to change in Jerusalem and Palestine. We heard all the chants of Arabs calling “the people want the system to fall” and when it did fall they started chanting “the people want Palestine free”. When asked about his opinion on the Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli prisons, he said: “the prisoners are continuing their hunger strikes for the sake of protecting their rights and living a decent life. They really are a symbol of purity of people and nation.” He added, “We assure you that we stand by them, and will continue doing everything in our power to ensure they are freed and safely returned home.”