Abbas-Meshaal meeting was PR

PIJ spokesman Gaza Strip  - Mohammed Habib Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) spokesman, Daoud Shihab announced that the group will co-operate to end the political split and hail Palestinian unity. He, also, welcomed the meeting between Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, in Cairo on Thursday, considering it as “public relations” meeting as it didn’t come out with a mechanism to end Fatah – Hamas conflicts. Arabstoday sat down with Shihab for a chat, in which he hoped to end the Palestinian split and hail unity between Palestinians. AT: What do you think as a spokesman of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), of the Abbas-Meshaal meeting? Daoud Shihab: Palestinian Islamic Jihad is welcoming any work to end Palestinian split. The group, at the beginning considered the meeting a positive step to hail Palestinian unity, and to end Fatah – Hamas conflicts, which started in 2006. But, the meeting didn’t come out with a practical mechanism, so we saw it as a ‘public relation’ meeting. It supposed to discuss more controversial matters, such as government forming. At the same time, we refuse any delay to end Palestinian split. AT: You had issued a statement saying the Palestinian reconciliation is impossible with the presence of security coordination between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel. What do you think now? Daoud Shihab: Yes, sure I think that now too. Security coordination between the PA and Israel is an obstacle in the path of Palestinian internal relations. Arabs Today: Do you agree on resolving the PA, and whether it is a way out of the current crisis? Daoud Shihab: We called to resolve the PA, as we think that is a way out of the current crisis. In addition, we called to a national administration for Palestinians, with Arabic and Islamic support. We think that the PA strategy in dealing with Israel is an obstacle in the path of Palestinian resistance to end the Israeli occupation. AT: What does the group think of the negotiations resumption between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, upon the request of the Quartet? Daoud Shihab: It is important to understand that the negotiations have reached a dead end, and should stop immediately. It could be replaced with another project satisfies all Palestinians, as the negotiations resumption will increase the Palestinian division, and the negotiations impacted negatively on the Palestinian liberation project in the past 20 years. AT: Will Palestinian Islamic Jihad participate in the upcoming elections? Daoud Shihab: We have a fixed opinion in the elections, and, the group will not participate in the elections with the presence of security coordination between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. However, the elections are to choose a Palestinian leadership, such as the National Assembly elections, we will participate. AT: Does the group think Abbas is a suitable person for the Palestinian reconciliation, with reference to differences between him and Hamas? Daoud Shihab: Our problem is not personal. We need to change the strategy, but without more conflicts between Palestinians. We call for dialogue and unity. AT: How do you evaluate your relations with Iran? And do you expect a war between Iran and Israel? Daoud Shihab: I’ve talked many times about our relations with Iran; Iran supports the Palestinians, because the Palestinian case interests all Arabs and Muslims. For the war between Iran and Israel, I don’t think Israel will launch a war on Iran, it would only pressure the international community to stand in the face of Iran. AT: Some say that Iran uses you as a scapegoat to distract Israel? Daoud Shihab: Of course, this is not true, and whomever says so is the one who is unable to do his duty towards the Palestinians. AT: What are the results of your meeting with the Egyptian authorities, after the group visit Egypt several days ago? Daoud Shihab: We have a strong relationship with Egypt, as it is always keen on Palestinian reconciliation. We can see Egypt changed after overthrowing Mubarak’s regime, this represents a glimmer of hope for the return of Egypt to play a central role in the Palestinian case and in all the Arab region’s issues. AT: What is your opinion of the truce with the Israel? Daoud Shihab: We are committed to it, as long as it’s committed to by Israel. We will not seek to escalation at this time, but in case of breaking the ceasefire by Israel, we will reply.