Hamas uses its favorite word - NO!

Everybody keeps hoping that Hamas will change its position and recognize Israel - but they consistently say NO.

Hamas' leadership in Damascus has rejected Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' threat to call a referendum on a plan that would implicitly recognize Israel.

"Hamas will not submit to blackmail and will not compromise its principles," Mohammad Nazzal, a member of the movement's exiled leadership said Friday.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Friday vowed the Hamas-led government would make no concessions despite Abbas' threat.

"We will not make political concessions," Haniyeh told worshippers at a Gaza mosque in response to Abbas's surprise ultimatum for the militant group to back the proposal for Palestinian statehood or face a referendum on the issue.

"Even if they besiege us from all directions, they should not dream that we will make any political concessions," added Haniyeh.