ANNAPOLIS: MUSALLAM (PARISH PRIEST OF GAZA), "POPULATION IS SPLIT, HOPING IN SUCCESS"

” “” ” ” “It is a split Gaza, the one waiting for news from the peace summit going on in Annapolis. As reported to SIR by the parish priest of the Gaza Strip, father Manuel Musallam, "no special riots can be seen in the streets, only some groups of protesters screaming against the summit. Hamas, which rules Gaza – recalls the priest – has always declared itself to be against this summit, but there is also a large part of the population who hope the meeting will be successful". "One must not be afraid to talk – he states –, that’s why I am in favour of the Annapolis meeting, but this is not the ideal place to speak of peace and find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The ideal place is not the USA, but the United Nations and the International Court, where everyone can assert their rights". (CONTINUED)” “” “” “