Khaled Meshaal interview
27-mins, 2007
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Hamas leader offers to end suicide bombings and says Israel's existence is a reality

The exiled leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, has offered to end suicide bombings and rocketing into Israel in exchange for an Israeli commitment not to deliberately target Palestinian civilians. In an exclusive television interview at Hamas headquarters in Damascus Mr Meshaal acknowledged that Israel's existence was a reality, but formal recognistion would only be considered when a Palestinian state exists, adding that peace treaties have been reached in other conflicts without the two sides recognising each other. Mr Meshaal's comments come just days before the first anniversary (January 25th) of Hamas's surprise victory in the Palestinian elections. A win that has lead to deadly armed conflict between Hamas and their rival group Fatah, that some believe will lead to civil war. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Meshaal blamed all of the Palestinians problems on external interference. He said without the U.S. administration's interference Palestinians would live in harmony. He criticised U.S. financial and political backing for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as interference. He also refused early elections to try and break the deadlock between Hamas and Fatah and called for renewed dialogue to try and form a government of national unity. Meshaal did not threaten armed action by his Islamist group against Israel but warned that Palestinian frustration over a stalled peace process could lead to attacks.
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