Abbas Stuns Hamas With Talk of Referendum

Posted on May 26, 2006

The Palestinian president has given Hamas 10 days to accept the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, and will submit the plan to referendum if the Islamic militants refuse. The plan implies a recognition of Israel, but does not renounce violence or accept past peace accords--the two other conditions the Palestinian government needs to meet to do business with the West.

AP:

In a bold initiative, the Palestinian president gave Hamas 10 days to accept the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, saying Thursday he’ll submit the plan to a referendum by mid-July if the Islamic militants refuse.

Mahmoud Abbas’ surprise announcement is a political gamble that could either help resolve the Palestinians’ internal deadlock or lead the Hamas-led government and Fatah into a deeper crisis.

Abbas asked Hamas to endorse a document drawn up by senior Palestinian militants imprisoned in Israel. It accepts statehood in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem — territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War.

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