Hawatmeh recounted the details of his meeting with Weizman, stating that the latter unexpectedly entered a room in the Raghdan Palace where Hawatmeh and Arab Israeli members of parliament were present. He confirmed that the Israeli president initiated a handshake and engaged in a discussion about the obstacles facing the peace process, with the Arab Israeli MPs acting as translators.
Hawatmeh justified the handshake once again, saying, “We understand that enemies meet and negotiate; enemies must meet to make peace. We are advocates for comprehensive solutions based on the implementation of United Nations resolutions, which call for ending the occupation, establishing a Palestinian state on national soil, and the return of refugees.”
He reaffirmed the DFLP’s support for the declaration of the Palestinian state on the upcoming May 4th and called on the Palestinian Authority not to delay the announcement, as doing so would be a loss for the Palestinians.
Syria Not Concerned
For his part, Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam affirmed that his country would not hold the leader of the DFLP accountable for shaking hands with the Israeli president, stating that such actions fall under the responsibility of his organization.
In response to journalists in Damascus, Khaddam said, “If any opposition leader shakes hands or does not, that is his business. If he makes a mistake, his organization will hold him accountable, and if he is right, his organization should reward him.”
He added, “As for the opposition, our policy is not based on the positions of the Palestinian opposition. Syria’s policy regarding the Palestinian issue is not linked to either the Palestinian loyalists or the opposition. In Syria, we consider the Palestinian cause to be a Syrian cause, just like the issue of the Golan Heights.”
