Do policymakers in US and Europe ever feel ashamed of their scandalous double standards? Before and since the Palestinian elections in January, they have continually insisted that Hamas comply with demands. They want us to recognise Israel, call off our resistance, and commit to whatever deals Israel and the Palestinian leadership reached in the past.

But we have not heard a single demand of the Israeli parties that took part in recent elections, though some advocate the complete removal of the Palestinians from their lands. Even Ehud Olmert’s Kadima party, whose Likud forebears frustrated every effort by the PLO to negotiate a settlement, campaigned on a programme that defies UN Security Council resolutions. His unilateralism is a violation of international law. Nevertheless no one, not even the Quartet — whose proposals for a settlement he continues to disregard, as his predecessor Sha-ron did — has dared ask anything.

Olmert’s unilateralism is a recipe for conflict. It is a plan to impose a permanent situation in which the Palestinians end up with a homeland cut into pieces made inaccessible because of massive Jewish settlements built in contravention of international law on land seized illegally from the Palestinians. No plan will work without a guarantee of a total Israeli withdrawal from the land occupied in 1967, including East Jerusalem; release of prisoners; removal of all settlers; and recognition of refugees’ right to return. On this, all Palestinian factions and people agree, including the PLO, whose revival is essential so that it can resume its role in speaking for the Palestinians and presenting their case to the world.

The problem is not with any Palestinian group but with the denial of our basic rights by Israel. Hamas is for peace and observing a unilateral truce for more than a year without reciprocity from Israel. The message from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority is: talk to us no more about recognising Israel’s “right to exist’’ or ending resistance until you obtain a commitment from the Israelis to withdraw from our land and recognise our rights.

Little will change under Olmert’s plan. Our land will still be occupied and our people oppressed. So we will remain committed to our struggle to get back our lands. Peaceful means will do if the world is willing to engage in a constructive and fair process in which we and the Israelis are treated as equals. We are sick of the West’s racist approach, in which the Palestinians are regarded as inferior. Though we are the victims, we offer our hands for peace and justice. If Israel continues to attack, impose sanctions and imprison us, we have the right to respond.

Hamas has been freely elected. We pledge to defend our people’s rights through good governance. If we are boycotted in spite of this democratic choice, we will persist, and our friends have pledged to fill the gap. We have confidence in the peoples of the world who identify with our struggle. This is a good time for peace making. — The Guardian

The writer is new Palestinian PM and Hamas leader