(Gatestone Institute) Bassam Tawil - The U.S. administration believes that the Palestinian Authority (PA) should be "revitalized" before it is handed control over Gaza after the Iran-backed Hamas terror group is removed from power. However, for PA leaders, revamping the PA means forging an alliance with Hamas by inviting the terror group to be part of a new governing body that would rule Gaza in the post-war era. Instead of distancing themselves from Hamas, especially in the aftermath of the massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7, PA leaders in the West Bank continue to view the terror group as a key and legitimate actor in the Palestinian political landscape. This is why PA President Mahmoud Abbas never condemned the massacre. According to Hussam Zomlot, the PA envoy to Britain: "They [Hamas] are part of us. We refuse to describe any Palestinian party as a terrorist organization. We refuse to describe the Palestinian struggle as terrorism. We refuse to describe any Palestinian activity as terrorism." In late February, representatives of Fatah and Hamas met in Moscow to discuss ways of achieving "national unity." The PA has so far shown no signs that it is serious about embarking on any plan to reform its political, economic and security institutions. Abbas is reportedly planning to replace the outgoing prime minister with another one of his loyalists.
2024-03-13 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive