Hamas “cannot under any circumstances be labeled as terrorists” states PA/Fatah leader
Al-Jazeera TV YouTube channel, interview with PLO Executive Committee Secretary, Fatah Central Committee member, and PLO Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat
PLO Executive Committee Secretary and Fatah Central Committee member Saeb Erekat: "First of all, we are under occupation. The US and Israel have attempted to label the Hamas as a terrorist movement. We are speaking frankly. And they attempted [this] with full power at the [UN] General Assembly (refers to proposed resolution that did not pass in a vote on Dec. 6, 2018; see note below –Ed.). [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO, and its factions stood against this resolution, and we won. We are a people under occupation, and if Israel submits a lawsuit – and a lawsuit has [already] been submitted against President Abbas at the ICC – we have the ability to defend ourselves. We are a people that is defending itself. We are a people under occupation. We cannot under any circumstances be labeled as terrorists."