Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters on Monday that he had declared the "jihad" with Israel over, saying that it was time for a "greater jihad" of cooperation, negotiation, law abidance and economic recovery.
He said that he hoped to convince Palestinians that the road to statehood and lasting pace was through dialogue with Israel following the recent withdrawal from Gaza, rather than war, according to <i>Reuters</i>.
Abbas stated that Palestinian beliefs regarding the struggle against Israel has been shifting in recent times. "The people are responding in a remarkable way", Abbas said, "The people's beliefs are changing".
He added, "All those who opposed the Israeli disengagement plan, including (armed) factions, now welcome it and celebrate it, and the pullout is taking place quietly."
Despite Abbas' words of optimism, not everyone agrees that Israel's withdrawal was not a result of continued armed conflict. Hamas officials say that the current withdrawal is a result of the Palestinian uprising that began in 2000, stating that it has been effective in the long run and that resistance against occupation must continue.
Hamas has agreed to maintain calm with Israel until the end of 2005 in response to a truce Abbas and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared last February.
Hamas and Abbas's secular Fatah faction, which calls for statehood through peace talks with Israel, are vigorously competing to claim victory for the Gaza withdrawal.
