As Israel Marks Independence, Hamas Issues New Charter

The Fellowship | May 1, 2017

QATAR-PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-HAMAS-POLITICS — Exiled Chief of Hamas' Political Bureau Khaled Meshaal (R) looks on during their conference in the Qatari capital, Doha on May 1, 2017. The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas unveiled a new policy document easing its stance on Israel after having long called for its destruction, as it seeks to improve its international standing. / AFP PHOTO / KARIM JAAFAR (Photo credit should read KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images)

As Israel began her 69th Independence Day celebration, one of the Jewish state’s most hateful foes carried out what one official called “a false display and a PR stunt.” The Jerusalem Post reports on Hamas’ latest charter, released as Israel celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut:

Hamas’s new charter, released on Monday at the same time Israel has started celebrations of its 69th Independence Day, still does not recognize Israel’s right to exist.

Hamas supports the establishment of a transitional Palestinian state along the borders from 1967, its leader Khaled Meshaal said on Monday in Doha while announcing the group’s new policy document.

“The chart stresses that the occupation has no right over Al-Aqsa, that belongs to our nation,” Mashal said before adding that “we do not recognize the Zionist entity, and there is no limitation over our rights…”

Israel said Hamas was trying to delude the world by issuing a new policy document on Monday that purportedly softens the Palestinian Islamist group’s policy towards Israel.

“Hamas is attempting to fool the world but it will not succeed,” said David Keyes, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“They build terror tunnels and have launched thousands upon thousands of missiles at Israeli civilians,” he said. “This is the real Hamas.”