GAZA, June 21 (IslamOnline.net) - Hamas political leadership member Ismail Abu Haniya revealed Saturday, June 21, that the movement currently holds contacts with the European Union (EU) to explain the Palestinian resistance group’s stance regarding accusations of “terrorism” from Washington and threats by the EU.

Within the same context, Abu Haniya refused threats leveled by the EU against Hamas Friday, June 20, and deemed them as a support to the U.S. pro-Israel position as far as the Arab-Israeli conflict is concerned.

Haniya also mocked the EU warnings to take the necessary measures against Hamas funding sources, underlining that the movement is financed by the “public”.

EU Foreign Ministers had called upon Hamas during their meeting Friday, June 20, in Salonsky, northern Greece, to immediately cease fire and threatened to take the necessary measures to stop the financing sources of that Palestinian organization.

“The EU calls on Hamas and other organizations to declare an immediate ceasefire and halt all terrorist activities,” the communiqué added.

In statements to IslamOnline.net Saturday, June 21, Haniya said that there have been contacts between Hamas and European parties to explain the position of the movement towards the accusations leveled to it.

About the nature of such contacts, Haniya said, “They include several European parties”, but refused to go into details.

“The contacts come within the framework of the open door policy currently adopted by the movement with all parties except the Zionist foe.”

Haniya said that the call of the EU foreign ministers during their meeting for halting all Hamas terrorist activities is deemed a tendency towards the pro-Israeli U.S. stand.

“The activities of Hamas are legitimate resistance. The movement seeks to liberate the Palestinian occupied lands,” he said.

“The Palestinian people practice this right following the example of the European peoples that resisted the Nazis and liberated themselves,” he added.

The EU warnings coincided with the U.S. Foreign Secretary Collin Powell’s statements at the conclusion of his meeting Friday, June 20, with Israeli Premiere Ariel Sharon, describing Hamas as “an enemy for peace.”

Haniya warned that the European stand encourages Israel to continue its aggression against the Palestinian people and is deemed a historical setback for this civilized world that does nothing to put an end to the crimes and aggressions of the enemy.

“Such a European stand does injustice to our people and deprive them from defending themselves,” the Hamas official said.

Haniya called upon the EU to “support the victim, not the executioner and not to disregard the facts.”

Haniya mocked the EU’s intention to take tangible steps against the financing sources of Hamas. “We are neither financed by the European states, nor do we have account numbers in their banks, as Hamas is financed by the Palestinians,” he said.

Haniya hailed the role played by France and asked France to continue playing this role in face of the extreme British pressures towards Hamas.