By Xinhua
Gaza : Palestinian factions downplayed on Sunday U.S. President George W. Bush’s upcoming visit to the Palestinian territories as part of his Middle East tour.
Fawzi Barhoom, spokesman for the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said, “Bush’s promises of creating a Palestinian statehood are illusions that won’t come true.”
During Bush’s first ever visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, the U.S. president is expected to promote Palestinian-Israeli peace talks which was relaunched at U.S.-hosted Annapolis peace conference last November.
But for Hamas, which seized control of Gaza Strip by force last June, the visit was not more than an attempt by Bush “to put his final touches and enhance his image before he quits the White House.”
The Islamic Jihad movement, an armed Islamist group, asserted that Bush’s upcoming visit will not bring anything for the Palestinians.
“The visit will widen the internal divisions and will provide cover for the Israeli occupation’s crimes in Gaza Strip and West Bank as part of maintaining Israel’s security at the expense of the Palestinian interest,” said Khader Habib, Islamic Jihad’s leader in Gaza.
Meanwhile, a lawmaker from Fatah explained that his movement “basically counts on the firmness of the Palestinian people and they will face the Israeli occupation’s plans.”
“The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) tries to gather international support for its stances,” the legislator, Abdullah Abdullah told reporters. “If Bush wanted to help the PNA in this effort, it will be a positive thing, but if he didn’t, then his anti-Palestinian stances will remain the same.”