Palestinian group talks peace
A Palestinian resistance group has for the first time in its history outlined terms for calling an end to operations against Israel.
The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades drew up an agenda for negotiations with the Palestinian leadership in the coming days, according to Brigades commander Zakaria Zubaidi.
Speaking to journalists in Jenin, Zubaidi said the document was the first ever produced by his group and would be sent to President Yasir Arafat and PM Ahmad Quraya.
“It will be discussed with them tomorrow,” he added.
The commander confirmed any negotiations would include an end to the blockade on Arafat’s headquarters, an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 Green Line, the dismantling of all illegal settlements and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel would also have to return the bodies of fighters killed in action, and allow the return of all Palestinians exiled to Gaza or elsewhere.
“If Israel is ready to do this, I will order all operations against Israelis to stop,” said Zubaidi, whose name figures prominently on Israel’s most-wanted list.
The document also calls for the Palestinian Authority to put its house in order, Zubaidi added.
PM’s policy
His comments came just hours after Quraya ruled out any move to dissolve the group – which is linked to Arafat’s mainstream Fatah movement – in an interview published by the London-based Arabic daily Asharq al-Awsat.
The Palestinian PM has been trying to persuade groups such as the al-Aqsa Brigades and the Islamist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad to halt armed resistance against Israel.
Al-Aqsa Brigades pledges loyalty to Arafat and his Fatah organisation although they operate autonomously and have embarrassed the Palestinian leadership with numerous attacks.