GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip, AP – Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday said a plan by President Mahmoud Abbas to hold a referendum on a plan that implicitly recognizes Israel is illegal.

The statement was the strongest sign yet that Hamas will not give in to Abbas’ ultimatum to accept the concept of a two-state solution or go to national referendum on the issue. Abbas has given Hamas until Tuesday to decide.

“The local law does not permit holding referendums on the Palestinian law,” Haniyeh told reporters. However, he said he would try to continue a dialogue with Abbas over the plan.