Palestinian media has reported that a conference in Gaza City held to support Global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi, Hams Prime MInister Ismail Haniyah reiterated that there would be no recognition of Israel by Hamas. According to the report:
The website in Arabic at 1054 gmt on 12 October carried the following report: “Isma’il Haniyah, prime minister of the deposed government [in Gaza], stressed that the Jewish character of the Israeli state cannot be recognized and that such decisions [to recognize Israel as a Jewish state]would be null and void, because they would concern a false entity. In a conference held in support of Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Gaza City under the title ‘Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s Efforts in the Service of Islam and in Support of the Palestinian Cause,’ Haniyah affirmed that the national authority’s rejection of this demand is insufficient. He also called for making decisive decisions by restoring national unity, stopping the security cooperation with the occupation, refraining from being dragged behind useless negotiations, and adopting the option of resistance and perseverance. “Haniyah went on to say: ‘Our hand is fully extended for the restoration of our unity and the unity of the Palestinian people on national foundations in order to stand up to the dangers facing the [Palestinian] cause.’ He asserted that they would be willing to cede their positions for the sake of Jerusalem, the Palestinian cause, and the return of refugees. In the course of his speech Haniyah also said: ‘We will not waive or give up our legitimate rights and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and we will not recognize the Israeli state. We adhere to the unity of our people and to Palestinian reconciliation, which would guarantee our people’s rights and constants and would end their disagreements in the face of dangers.'”
The Hamas charter states that it is ” is one of the wings of the Muslim Brothers in Palestine” and an Israeli TV station has reported that in 2008, Muslim Brotherhood “representatives” traveled to Gaza from Egypt through the open border to meet with Hamas. An earlier media report indicated that shortly after Hamas took over the Gaza strip, Muslim Brotherhood representatives were present to review Hamas military formations. Last June, a Hamas journalist acknowledged the role that the “international Muslim Brotherhood” has played in providing funds for the purchase of weapons.