Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar said the movement still refuses to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas another chance to negotiate with Israel.
In a phone call from Gaza, Zahar said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent refusal to return to the 1967 Israeli-Palestinian border – proposed in a recent speech by US President Barack Obama – proves Hamas' stance, which sees no use in negotiations.
Zahar also criticized Obama's speech, particularly the president's proposal to begin negotiations with the 1967 borders as a starting point.
"They were imposed on us," Zahar said of the borders. "They represent only 22 percent of the Palestinian lands."
Zahar added that by making land swaps and keeping the settlements, Palestinians would only have 10 percent of the land.
Zahar differed with statements made by Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Meshaal about giving Abbas another chance to resume peace negotiations.
"We've never believed in negotiations as a single strategic choice," Zahar said.
He said negotiations have yielded no results since they began.
"We warned Abbas against negotiations," he said.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
