Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar told reporters on Sunday that Palestinians do not have a problem with the Jewish religion, but rather, with Israeli occupation carried out by Jews. "There is no place for Israel on this land," Zahar told Xinhua on Sunday.
The FM added that he was certain the goal would be realized, and that he did not rule out the possibility of Jews, Muslims and Christians living together in a future Islamic state of Palestine.
Zahar also reiterated his opposition to peace negotiations with neighboring Israel, stating that Israel had no intention of upholding an agreement with the Palestinians or seeking peace, and that his party could therefore not accept a two-state solution in which a Palestinian state was created alongside an Israeli one.
"Israel doesn't want peace nor does it have any peace project. Therefore, we told our people and tell them that there will be no negotiations," he explained.
Haniyeh slams US for punishing Palestinian people
Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh criticized the United States on Sunday for collectively punishing the Palestinian people for elected Hamas to parliament by restricting diplomatic ties with the party.
"This government was elected in a free and honest election, and according to the democratic principles the American administration is calling for," Haniyeh said.
"We believe this is a punishment of the Palestinian people because of its democratic choice, and at the same time, it increases the people's suffering," the Prime Minster added.
The US announced on Friday that its diplomats would be forbidden to make contact with officials in any Palestinian government agency controlled by Hamas, which the US claims is a terrorist organization, as it calls for the destruction of Israel in its charter.
