Description:
In a recent interview with RT Arabic, the former head of Hamas’ political bureau Khalid Mashal comments on whether his group is prepared to request Lebanon’s Hezbollah to enter the current battle raging between the Palestinians and Israel.
Source: RT Arabic
Date: May 14, 2021
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Transcript:
Host:
Some also wonder about the possibility of Hezbollah entering the battle against Israel from the northern front, and this upon the request of the Palestinian factions. Can you, Mr. Khalid, answer this question? Are you prepared to request Hezbollah to intervene in this battle?
Khalid Mashal, Hamas international director:
Realistically speaking, we differentiate between – (on the one hand) – Israel being the enemy of all, the enemy of all resistance forces and all free (parties/forces) in our Ummah (nation), the enemy of our Arab, Islamic Ummah, of humanity and (all) free people of the world. This is a firm conviction. (And on the other hand), everyone becoming engaged in the battle at the same time. This is a matter that depends on the assessments of each side. Of course, we hope that the nation (Ummah) with all its countries, armies and resistance forces, will wage the battle (at the same time), because this is the battle of honour and pride, as Palestine is for the whole Ummah, al-Quds is for the Muslims and Christians of (Palestine) and the nation, and al-Aqsa is the first Qibla of the Muslims. Therefore this is the battle of honour.
Furthermore, Israel is a real threat to the Arab nation’s security, to the Islamic (nation’s) security, and global security. Therefore, engaging in this battle is a duty, (a duty) to serve Palestine and the Ummah itself, for the sake of its national and strategic security. Yet, fighting (this battle) all at once – do we force them to do so? This we leave to the assessment of each side. We acknowledge the complexities of the (current) circumstances, even if we hope to fight this battle together against this common enemy.
Host:
So, you are not going to request any other side to fight with you, while hoping that they get involved in this battle as the enemy is one as you say, Mr (Khaled)?
Mashal:
The masses of our people and people in general, out of there sentiments and own convictions, they too, wish for that, and they may speak about it in the media, in their conversations, or on social media. As for political leaders in Hamas and other organizations, I believe that they are aware of the complexities of reality, and that they do not request something which they are not sure is possible and available, despite it being everyone’s desire.
We do not make such a request, but we hope that everyone will become involved in the battle via the assessment each side undertakes. It is everyone’s responsibility, and if Hamas alone with the resistance forces in Gaza, the people struggling in al-Aqsa, and the people revolting within the interior of Palestine (within the) 1948 borders, and the West Bank, if they alone made Israel stand on one leg, what would the case be if the whole Ummah got involved in this battle?
I believe we are able to defeat (Israel) as it is ‘a paper tiger’ and ‘a spider’s web’. It lacks legitimacy, and its core is empty and hollow, and it is facing a great, heroic people that cannot be defeated by anyone, as they are the owners of the land and the real owners of the country.
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