Hamas to Abbas: Transfer the Palestinian Authority to us, not Netanyahu

Hamas officials on Monday criticized Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' declarations over the weekend that if the diplomatic stagnation continues after the Israeli election, he will dismantle the PA and return responsibility for the West Bank to the Israeli government.

In an interview to Haaretz on Thursday Abbas said, "If there is no progress even after the election I will take the phone and call [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu. I'll tell him, 'my dear friend, Mr. Netanyahu, I am inviting you to the Muqata [the PA presidential headquarters in Ramallah]. Sit in the chair here instead of me, take the keys, and you will be responsible for the Palestinian Authority.'"

In response, Hamas deputy political bureau chief Moussa Abu Marzouk called on Abbas to hand the keys over to Hamas, not to Israel.

"Why give it up to Netanyahu? We are more reliable. The more effective threat would be for Abbas to hand over authority to Hamas, who has proven its steadfast opposition to the Gaza blockade and has won battles against Israel. This would strengthen efforts at reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas," Abu Marzouk stated.


http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-to-abbas-transfer-the-palestinian-authority-to-us-not-netanyahu.premium-1.491102