By Selim Saheb Ettaba
Agence France-Presse
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM – Even as Israel slammed the door on any dialogue with the Palestinians after a unity deal with Hamas, the Islamic group has been slowly inching its way towards a tacit acceptance of Israel.
Despite being officially dedicated to “liberating all of Palestine”, in recent days Hamas leaders have spoken of accepting a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders, effectively alongside Israel.
Speaking to AFP in Cairo on Thursday, a day after the ceremony to sign the surprise reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fateh, Hamas chief Khaled Mishaal said there was a broad consensus on the 1967 borders among Palestinian groups.
Hamas “agrees to the establishment of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, without settlers and without giving up the right of return,” he said.
That implies, at least initially, a tacit acceptance of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
He made a similar statement at Wednesday’s signing ceremony.
And while Hamas has indicated it would support such a position in the past, such public, high profile endorsements give it added gravitas.
“There is a consensus on it among the majority of Palestinian political forces, which can be the basis on which to build,” Mishaal said, calling for the development of a “common vision”.