1 million Palestinian Muslims demonstrate goal of reconquering Jewish Israel

Palestinians Dream of Destroying Israel, Peace Treaty or Not

by Khaled Abu Toameh, in Gatestone Institute  March 25, '14

U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry may be able to force Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, under threats and pressure, to sign a "framework agreement" with Israel.  But as this week's rally of hatred in the Gaza Strip shows, even after the signing of a Palestinian-Israeli "peace" treaty, a large number of Palestinians will not abandon there dream of destroying Israel. 

"Jihad in Palestine is not terrorism. Jihad in Palestine is a sacred duty." — Yusef Rizka, representative of Hamas 

A mass rally held in the Gaza Strip on March 23 showed that Hamas continues to enjoy popular support among Palestinians. Tens of thousands of Palestinians took to the streets to attend the rally commemorating the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. 

(Photo: The Palestinian Information Center)

Hamas officials claim that nearly one million Palestinians attended the rally in the center of Gaza City. March 23, '14.

Palestinian Authority [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas has good reason to be worried in the aftermath of the latest show of force by Hamas. When tens of thousands of Palestinians take to the streets of the Gaza Strip to call for the destruction of Israel and an end to the peace talks between the PA and Israel, it is clear that a large segment of Palestinian society remains opposed to any compromise with Israel.

                                                             (Video: Courtesy IDF-North American Desk)

The pro-Hamas rally is also aimed at sending a message to the U.S. Administration that Mahmoud Abbas does not have a mandate to sign any document that declares an end to the conflict with Israel.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry may be able to force Abbas, under threats and pressure, to sign a "framework agreement" with Israel. But as this week's rally of hatred in the Gaza Strip shows, even after the signing of an Israeli-Palestinian "peace" treaty, a large number of Palestinians will not abandon their dream of destroying Israel.

Mr. Adib Ghobrial, an Egyptian colleague of Dr. Mordechai Kedar, questions the intentions of the Obama administration for bolstering Islamists, like Hamas, the Ikhwan in Egypt, and al-Qaeda in Syria - in close proximity to their avowed target, the Jewish state of Israel.