Palestinian Authority President Mahmous Abbas has criticised Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal for saying that the terrorist organisation would never recognise the state of Israel, a Turkish newspaper has reported.
Mr Abbas, who has just spent two days in Turkey, is understood to have told The Hurriyet: “I don’t agree with Khaled Mashaal’s statement on the non-recognition of Israel because we, in fact, recognised it in 1993.”
He clarified: “A four-article agreement between [Fatah and Hamas] stipulates a two-state vision. And Mashaal approved of this agreement.”
Israeli politician Tzipi Livni spoke to Mr Abbas shortly after these remarks were reported in Turkey and said: "It is important that the public will hear messages like this, and not lose hope in an agreement."
