Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Image by Getty Images

By Naomi Zeveloff March 9, 2017

In what could signal a major change, Hamas appears to be prepared to accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, but will still refuse to recognize Israel.

Previously, Hamas rejected Israel’s presence in historic Palestine, saying in its 1988 charter that there would be “no end” to conflict with Israel.

According to a report in the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, which was widely cited in the Israeli press, Hamas is finalizing a document in the next month or two that outlines its updated positions.

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Haaretz reported that the document will define conflict with Israel as a fight against the occupation, and not against Jews. It will also officially break from the Muslim Brotherhood, after previously being defined as an arm of the group.

The updated policies reflect a wish on Hamas’s part to better relationships with bordering Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood is banned. Hamas also believes that international organizations and other nations will lift their boycotts of Gaza if the group recognizes Palestine on the 1967 borders, according to Haaretz.

Contact Naomi Zeveloff at zeveloff@forward.com

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