Israel Matzav

Ulterior motives: Hawatmeh staying home; Meshaal admits 'mistakes'

DFLP leader Nayef Hawatmeh has decided not to attend Wednesday's 'Palestine National Council' meeting in Ramallah. A statement released by his organization says that they reject 'any Israeli conditions' to Hawatmeh's visit. I'm sure the fact that he stood a fair chance of being arrested had nothing to do with his decision.

Meanwhile Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal admitted today from Damascus that 'mistakes' were made during Hamas' takeover of Gaza last month:

"What happened, I swear to God and God is a witness, was loathsome for us. But it is like a medicine pill that we were forced to swallow," he said in a speech at an Islamic conference held here. Parts of his speech were broadcast on the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite TV station.

...

Mashaal, who lives in exile in Syria, said he acknowledges mistakes took place, without providing examples or going into details.

"I do not deny that some mistakes were made," he said.

"They are marginal mistakes made by individuals that do not represent our policies. We apologize to God before apologizing to the people for them," he added.

And I suppose that this has little or nothing to do with Meshaal's sudden bout of contrition.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:52 PM