Reax to Fatah-Hamas deal, Haniyeh, Pal tourism min, Israeli govt spox
(23 Dec 2011) SHOTLIST Gaza City, Gaza Strip 1. Hamas Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, emerging from Friday prayers and approaching microphones 2. Cutaway of cameraman 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas Prime Minister: "We welcome the friendly atmosphere that prevailed in the meeting yesterday (Thursday) in Cairo, and we consider the meeting between the leaders in the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organisation is a step in the right direction towards rebuilding the PLO institutions, politically and administratively, in a way that all the different Palestinian parties will be involved." 4. Wide exterior of mosque Bethlehem, West Bank 5. Wide of Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khoulod Deibes, approaching security standing behind barrier 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Khoulod Deibes, Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities: "We are on the right track and we will hope that the result of these talks will continue to achieve elections and to achieve bringing together our people in Gaza, and this Christmas is a source of hope anyway for us, that we hope that this will be our Christmas gift under our tree for this year." 7. Residents on bench in Manger Square, giant Christmas tree in background 8. Top shot pan of Manger Square to giant Christmas tree Jerusalem 9. Set up shot of Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Yigal Palmor 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Yigal Palmor, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson: "Palestinians can handle their institutions how they see fit. However, to be considered a legitimate political and diplomatic partner of the international community, any Palestinian institution will have to be committed to peace talks and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict under the international Quartet's ("Quartet" of international Mideast mediators - the US, Russia, the European Union and the UN) conditions." 11. Wide of Palmor talking on mobile phone STORYLINE Hamas Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, on Friday said the planned reconciliation with rival Palestinian faction Fatah was "a step in the right direction". The deal to admit Hamas into the Fatah-dominated Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was reached on Thursday following talks in Cairo. Speaking after Friday prayers in Gaza City, Haniyeh said the Cairo negotiations had been held in a "friendly atmosphere". "We consider the meeting between the leaders in the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organisation is a step in the right direction towards rebuilding the PLO institutions, politically and administratively, in a way that all the different Palestinian parties will be involved," he added. Haniyeh's words were echoed by Khoulod Deibes, the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. "This Christmas is a source of hope anyway for us, that we hope that this will be our Christmas gift under our tree for this year," she said. Deibes was speaking in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born. The deal to admit Hamas into the PLO could have deep repercussions. Hamas has opposed the peace talks and rejects Israel's right to exist. A strong Hamas voice in the group would further complicate the already troubled Mideast diplomatic process. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Yigal Palmor, reacted cautiously to the agreement. Hamas overran Gaza in 2007, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is also the head of Fatah, has ruled only the West Bank since then. The division has been an obstacle in peacemaking efforts with Israel, since Abbas does not speak for all the Palestinians. He will serve alongside Abbas. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
