DRAFT OF PNA HAMAS ACCORD - RELEASED BY AL-AHRAM September 20, 1995

Below is the full text of the proposed agreement between Hamas and the Palestine National Authority as it was published in the Egyptian Al-Ahram Weekly on September 20, 1995.

According to Al-Ahram, a copy of the agreement was presented last month to the spiritual leader of the Hamas movement, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, inside his jail in Israel. An informed Palestinian source told Al Ahram Weekly that Sheikh Yassin has accepted the document in principle, expressing, however, the demand that more "religious fragrance" be added.

Please note that paragraph (3) of the agreement respects "the commitments of the Palestinian Liberation Organization ensuing from the agreements signed with the Israeli government which require the cessation of all military operations in, or launched from, the areas under the Palestinian National Authority". Under this interpretation, a Hamas attack in Tel Aviv which was planned in Jerusalem, for example, would not violate the agreement. The PLO's commitment to Israel to prevent terror, however, is not limited to attacks originating from PNA controlled territory.

According to Article XV paragraph 1 of Oslo 2, "Both sides shall take all measures necessary in order to prevent acts of terrorism, crime and hostilities directed against each other, against individuals falling under the other's authority and against their property, and shall take legal measures against offenders."

Having placed our trust in God; believing in the right of our Palestinian people to a life of freedom and dignity; asserting the national unity of our Palestinian people, and seeking to realize their just objectives in establishing their independent State of Palestine with its capital in Jerusalem; seeking to consolidate the foundations of democracy by Shura in our homeland on the basis of political pluralism, freedom of opinion, creed and human rights, under the rule of law and in observance of justice in view of our commitment to the vital interests of our people; in recognition of the national and historical responsibility which we all have a share in bearing; emanating from our profound faith in the principles of joint cooperation; aware of the grave dangers which threaten our people at the present stage; wishing to consolidate positive relations between all forces and agents, leaders of Fatah and members of the National Palestinian Authority have concluded, under the sponsorship of Chairman Yasser Arafat and His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the present agreement, the result of good offices provided during the previous period and acknowledged with profound appreciation;

(1) To assert the unity and solidarity of the Palestinian people, their right to self determination and to establish an independent state with its capital in Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif);

(2) To shun internal strife, adopt democratic means of dialogue in seeking realistic solutions which safeguard the interests of the people, realizing their objectives, and become united behind major issues of concern to the homeland, such as the issue of Jerusalem, the Palestinian detainees, the settlements, etc.;

(3) To respect the commitments of the Palestinian Liberation Organization ensuing from the agreements signed with the Israeli government which require the cessation of all military operations in, or launched from, the areas under the Palestinian National Authority, or publicizing views through peaceful means and democratic ways, without resort to defamation or offense;

(4) To emphasize the need to build the institutions of the Palestinian civil society, to separate the mandates of the respective authorities and to consolidate the rule of law;

(5) To accelerate the enactment of legislation establishing political parties in order to lay the foundations of political pluralism and to strengthen the principle of equality between all citizens;

(6) To recognize the right of brothers in Hamas to participate in the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority at all levels, on the basis of efficiency drawing on the fact that the Palestinian National Authority is the authority of the Palestinian people regardless of political and ideological leanings, or organizational affiliations;

(7) To assert the right to assemble and commemorate national or Islamic events after obtaining due permission from the concerned authorities within the Palestinian National Authority;

(8) To assert the right of citizens to own personal weapons provided the ownership or acquisition of such weapons be duly licensed by the concerned authorities within the Palestinian National Authority; however, the possession or carrying of explosives shall be banned on the grounds of the threat to the safety of citizens;

(9) To emphasize that the function of the units of local government is to provide services and as such are independent administrative units, composed of representatives directly elected, and such units should be run in accordance with local government law;

(11) The Palestinian National Authority is responsible for the protection of individuals who performed their duties during the years of struggle, from any faction or group, drawing from the principle that the Palestinian National Authority is responsible for securing the safety of all citizens;

(12) To create a suitable and tranquil atmosphere it was decided to take measures to enhance safety, confidence, cooperation and love between the citizens of the one nation, thus embodying national unity and consolidating it. This requires the cessation of the publication of provocative statements, inciting rhetoric which undermines national unity, and averting from defamatory and slanderous speeches, statements or posters. All organs of the mass media should be channelled to consolidate national unity. On the other hand, measures taken by the security forces for preventive purposes must be stopped, in order to build up confidence between all;

(13) To respect the sanctity of mosques and places of worship, and avert actions which violate the sanctity of such places, or their use for purposes other those for which they were intended;

(14) To establish an appropriate consultative framework to give advice and consultations to the Palestinian National Authority to realize the interests of the people and serve the national good;

(15) To establish a permanent coordinating committee consisting of the two parties "Fatah and Hamas" to consider all issues which surface or are bought before it by any party with the view to finding appropriate solutions which serve the public interest of Palestinians.

(16) This agreement shall take effect at the date of its signing. It shall be declared the means agreed upon and duly deposited with the minister of justice."

It's interesting to note that the grave dangers in 1995 the document refers to is the actual implementation of the Oslo Accords.

It is well known within Israel, that Sharon built up Hamas in the 1980s, as an alternative to the PLO; the Likud policy was always to eliminate the more moderate leadership of the Palestinians, leaving only the most radical Islamists (the PLO is secular, and includes Christians as well as Muslims). From Sharon's standpoint, this makes the final showdown all the easier to justify. Notice that Hamas was scarcely touched during the West Bank incursions, while the PA structures were almost totally destroyed. If you don't understand this, you can't understand anything as to what is going on in Israel and Palestine.

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