A document that hasn't been published yet is causing widespread speculation among Palestinians about Hamas' plans for the future. Since late August, Palestinian and Arab media have been talking about a new political document that Hamas will be issuing "soon."

Al-Khaleej Online said Sept. 14 that at the end of the year, Hamas will issue a document that will reflect a shift in its ideology. Al-Khaleej added that Hamas leaders and a group of Palestinian and Arab intellectuals contributed to the draft, which still must be submitted to its political bureau for approval.

However, Hamas leader Salah Bardawil told Al-Quds news Sept. 17 that what is being said about a new Hamas document is exaggerated, because political documents are usually kept secret and only circulate within Hamas circles. He also said Hamas would never renounce its nationalist stance, namely, “All of Palestine is for the Palestinian people. It rejects recognizing Israel and believes Jerusalem should remain the capital for the Palestinian people.”

Al-Quds Press reported Aug. 29 that according to "informed sources," Hamas recently finished drafting a new document that includes its stances toward the various aspects of the Palestinian cause and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its ties with Palestinian factions, and its positions toward Arab, Islamic and foreign countries. The sources did not say whether the new document would serve as a supplement or a substitute for Hamas' 1988 charter.