Former Palestinian PM Ismail Henia: We are for a targeted resistance not a chaotic one

In wide-ranging interview with “Echourok Al –Youmi” the dismissed Palestinian Premier Ismail Henia has discussed several issues dealing with Palestinian cause including the blockade imposed by the Israeli authorities on Gaza in addition to the intricate question of the Palestinian reconciliation.

•  
• He also talked about the aftermath of the Israeli invasion of Gaza strip two years ago and the relationship with the United States mentioning those existing with the Algerian authorities and people, before concluding with the latest participation of the Algerian national squad to the world cup.
•  
• Echourouk: What can you say about the prevailing situation in Gaza after the Israeli attacks and question reconstruction?
•  
• Henia: Actually the situation is translated into two different pictures: on one hand, a dim one showing the suffering of the Palestinian people under the Israeli blockade and its repercussions on the economic and health sectors, and in the other hand a brighter one illustrating the fight of this people and its resilience to stick to its principles and dignity albeit all suffering.
•  
•  Echourouk what did your government do to guarantee the survival of the Palestinian people and its resistance?
•  
• Henia: Actually a lot of things; we started by stabilizing the security situation after the chaos which was prevailing before our coming into power and reforming the administration and eliminating corruption; at the economic level, we started implementing what we called “ the economy of resistance” and diversifying our sources to reach self sufficiency especially in the agriculture sector and raised the slogan” we eat from what we plant”. As to the industrial level, we can say that 30 to 40% of the factories resumed activities despite three years of blockade.
•  
• Echourouk:  What was the content of the correspondences sent by your government to the United States?
•  
• Henia: we have explained our stand as clearly as possible; we have called on the United States to respect the choice of the Palestinian people and deal with a balance towards the region’s issues.
•  
• Echourouk:There are those who consider that you didn’t learn from the experience of “Feth” when dealing with the US bias towards Israel?
•  
• Henia:The United States is a big country and its influence is as big not only on the region but also on the international level, but this doesn’t mean that we will yield to its dictate because we have our own opinions and we won’t let them down; our role is to explain our situation to the international community in the hope that they will influence the American policy in a positive way.
•  
•  Echourouk: What can you say about the diplomatic ties between your government and the Algerian authorities and people alike?
•  
• Henia: Actually, we awe a lot of respect to the Algerian people and government; the Algerian people sent several convoys from the parliament and Islamic movements’ leaders and reached Gaza through while others couldn’t through the sea. Algeria is home to the million and a half martyrs that waged a war against the biggest military force in modern history; it still a model for us in our fight against the Israeli occupation.