Islamic Jihad head: We may recognize the State of Israel

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An Islamic Jihad leader in the West Bank, Abdel Halim Izzedine, known as Abu Qassam, has told Haaretz that his organization supports the hudna - temporary cease-fire - but is forced to respond to Israeli provocations.

"Israel forces us to react. If Israel stops the assassinations and arrests, we will observe the hudna," he said, adding that if a young Palestinian were to approach him and tell him he was on his way to carry out a suicide attack, he would try to dissuade him.

In his first interview with an Israeli news outlet, Abu Qassam said his organization might recognize the State of Israel.

"If Islamic Jihad participates in the Palestinian Authority, and the PA reaches a settlement with Israel, this will be recognition on our part. Not official recognition, but recognition," he said.

Abu Qassam further says that an irreconcilable chasm separates his movement's ideology from Zionist ideology. However, just as Zionist ideology is beginning to give up parts of the Land of Israel, so his organization would be willing to give up parts of its ideology calling for an Islamic state from the river to the sea.

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/608203.html