By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, Thursday welcomed the decision by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to quit his political career in September.
Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, told reporters that Olmert’s decision to retire from political life “is a victory for Hamas movement and an indication of the deteriorating political life in Israel”.
Another Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad (Holy War), said on its website: “Olmert’s decision to retire is an achievement of Hezbollah’s war against Israel.”
However, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, who is currently in Washington, said in a radio interview: “Regardless of the changes in Israel, Palestinians would continue their efforts to reach a peace deal with Israel.”
He said the political developments in Israel is “an internal affair of Israel and would not affect the peace process”.