Mjadlani Advises Halileh: Do Not Align Yourself with Yasser Abu Shabab and Those Manufactured by Israel and America

Follow-up from SadaNews - Ahmad Mjadlani, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, stated this evening, Tuesday, that the information being circulated regarding businessman Samir Halileh is based on old information published last February, following an agreement between him and a marketing company working with the U.S. administration, Congress, and the U.S. Department of Justice, for the purpose of promoting him for the position of Governor of Gaza, funded by a Canadian Jewish individual known for his ties to Israeli intelligence.

Mjadlani clarified in an interview with Al-Hadath Channel that the Palestine Liberation Organization advised Halileh not to get involved in this issue, emphasizing that he was not mandated by any official Palestinian entity to communicate, approve, or sign a contract with an American company; and that all statements made today are untrue. He stressed that there are no communications between Samir Halileh and certain countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or the Arab League, and that we are in contact with these countries and following up on the matter officially with our Arab brothers and all the nations mentioned.

He asserted, according to SadaNews follow-up, that the Gaza Strip does not need a new Bremer as in Iraq, and that there is a recognized Palestinian Authority and a legitimate Palestinian government. The talk of a new governor appointed by Israel or the United States is unrealistic, irrational, and unacceptable, and we will confront such a trend if it exists.

The Palestinian official said: "I believe this trend represents test balloons, and we reiterate our advice to Samir Halileh not to engage in this matter, and not to place himself on the side of Yasser Abu Shabab and others manufactured by Israel."

Mjadlani added: "Samir Halileh had met with President Mahmoud Abbas, who clearly told him 'Get out of this matter.' Halileh was not mandated by the President or anyone else, and this project, if proposed, will be fundamentally rejected, as it means separating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank. Therefore, any talk about a civilian administration of the Gaza Strip under Israeli supervision practically means paving the way for the liquidation of the Palestinian cause towards dividing Palestinian lands and fragmenting the unity of the land, people, and the Palestinian cause."

He continued: "I believe that anyone aspiring to a political role should not put themselves in the American or Israeli basket, and we advise Samir Halileh not to get involved, otherwise, he will be subject to legal follow-up."

He emphasized that the State of Palestine does not need to seek a businessman to appoint him as a governor of the Gaza Strip by Israel or the United States, and I believe this is unrealistic and irrational. Adding: "Samir Halileh should reconsider his position seriously, and stop making unfounded claims that he is mandated by some Palestinian leaders or by some Arab brothers in Egypt and that he is in contact with the brothers in Saudi Arabia or the Arab League."

Mjadlani stated, as SadaNews followed: "This matter is, for us, incorrect, and he has no right to undermine the legitimacy of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine.. This is a serious matter for us.. Samir Halileh is being made a fool of by the Americans and Israelis, and we advise him not to burn himself."

Regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements rejecting the presence of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip, the member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization said, "Netanyahu does not want the Palestinian Authority in either the Gaza Strip or the West Bank."

He added: "Netanyahu is fully aware that he nurtured the division and supported it by providing money to Hamas throughout the division period through known parties that were funding Hamas at that time. Netanyahu personally requested funding for Hamas to strengthen the division."

He continued: "Netanyahu was a partner in bringing funds to Hamas, and he was the one sending planes to an Arab capital to carry this money to Hamas."

He continued: "For Netanyahu, the return of the Palestinian Authority to the Gaza Strip means the unity of the Palestinian lands and means returning to the two-state solution. He does not want a Palestinian state or a two-state solution, not only in the Gaza Strip, as he supports the division and is now seeking to undermine the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank through a financial and military siege; we do not need any party that has unlawful ambitions."

He added: "Today we heard about a new American project for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. We have received more than one project, including Turkish, Qatari, and Egyptian proposals, and there is no connection between what Samir Halileh talked about and all these proposals."