Haniyah Welcomes US Medical Delegation, Says Willing to Talk to US, Supports Just Peace

Haniya to American delegation: Hamas supports just peace

[ 28/10/2009 - 05:10 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Ismail Haniya, the Palestinian premier in Gaza, has underlined that Hamas was not against peace but rather supported peace based on justice that restores Palestinian people's rights and ends occupation of its lands.

Haniya, during a reception of an American medical delegation west of Gaza city on Wednesday, said that his Movement had no restrictions regarding dialog with the administration of president Barack Obama.

He said that Hamas welcomed the new language of Obama but wanted to witness it materialize in deeds and not only words.

The premier said that this government was elected by the Palestinian people and was not at odds with the American people.

Haniya thanked the visiting delegation for the humanitarian and social services they extended to Gaza inhabitants, adding that the delegation's visit showed that a large sector of the American people rejected the siege on Gaza and the latest war on it.

The premier announced his belief in the democratic game and the peaceful circulation of power, adding that he was surprised that those who championed democracy did not accept its results in Palestine. He said that the Palestinian people were being punished for electing Hamas in honest elections testified by the whole world.

Haniyah Welcomes US Shift, Says Willing to Talk

Published today (updated) 29/10/2009 18:54

Gaza – Ma’an –

There is nothing wrong with talking to the United States, de facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah told American delegates on a medical mission in Gaza on Wednesday.

Hamas welcomes the new language of US President Barack Obama, Haniyah added, but noted the administration must implement its plans so the Palestinian people can establish their state with Jerusalem as its capital.

"I am convinced of the fairness of the rules of democracy, pluralism and the peaceful transfer of power in Palestine," he told the delegation, but noted the punishment the Palestinian people received when they fairly elected Hamas in 2006.

The United States has the ability to bring peace to the region, Haniyah added, and we have no issues with the Americans, but asked them to back up their pledges.

Haniyah welcomed the delegation to Gaza, thanking them for their humanitarian and social services. He also said that the visit had a special meaning, as it demonstrated support from the American people for Gazans and their rejection of the Israeli siege.

US medical delegation in Gaza shocked by devastation caused by Israel

[ 28/10/2009 - 05:08 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

A visiting American medical delegation expressed its shock at the magnitude of destruction caused by the last Israeli war on the Gaza Strip as well as the impacts of the blockade on citizens.

The delegation comprised Annie Hall, a minister in the Lutheran church, and Sherry Echols, the executive director of physicians for social security organization, in addition to a number of peace activists.

The Palestinian center for human rights which received the delegation said Tuesday that this medical team is part of an expanded delegation composed of a number of doctors who will be visiting Gaza in the context of a humanitarian voluntary mission.

The center added that the delegation toured different areas of Gaza which were affected by the Israeli military aggression and met with a number of families who lost their loved ones during the war and heard from them a detailed explanation about the abuses and violations they were exposed to.