Hamas: We made resistance part of Palestinian culture

A spokesperson for the Palestinian group Hamas said on Wednesday that the group will never recognise Israel.

Sami Abu Zuhri said in Istanbul at the opening of the 26^th International Conference of the Association of Islamic Organisations that Hamas will remain faithful and committed to its principles and will never recognise the Zionist entity.

He added that the movement had managed to successfully change the notion of resistance from being a partisan one, to a national culture.

"Those who say they want to stop the resistance, or believe they can dismantle the arms of the resistance are delusional. These dreams will not turn into reality, and the resistance is strong and able."

Abu Zuhri stressed that Hamas would never recognise Israel's right to exist, a principle they are committed to and will continue to pursue the Palestinian cause until Palestine is free.

The conference held in the Turkish city was part of a series of activities to mark the passing of 100 years of the Balfour Declaration.