[Ma'an] Resuming negotiations with Israel would be "dangerous" in light of the ongoing Israeli policy of settlement and "judaization of Palestine," said Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) Secretary-General Nayif Hawatmeh in Damascus. The speech came as the party marked its 41st anniversary on Friday at a crowded festival at Al-Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus, three weeks after the party marked its annual celebration.
Hawatmeh attended the celebrations with representatives of other Palestinian factions and Syrian political parties. He spoke out in favor of dialogue between Palestinian factions, saying "Dialogue is ongoing in the Gaza Strip between the major Palestinian factions including Fatah, Hamas, DFLP, PFLP, and Islamic Jihad. They want to restart a comprehensive dialogue aimed at ending rivalry and rebuilding Palestinian national unity."
The leader also warned that in the West Bank, "More lands are being confiscated and Palestinian rights are being violated more and more, he said. This will endanger the chances of establishing an independent Palestinian state on the territories occupied in 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital." He cautioned against peace talks under the current political climate.
The DFLP leader called on Arab countries to adopt a clear strategy as they hold the coming Arab League summit in Libya. Practical steps to implement the Arab Peace Initiative should be taken "instead of slogans," he said, affirming that both direct and indirect negotiations with Israel should be dependent on halting settlement activities completely and stopping assaults on Al-Aqsa Mosque, Ibrahimi Mosque, and Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque (Rachel's Tomb) in Bethlehem.