PA Breaches of the Oslo Accords
True colors: Abbas visits Haniyeh’s sons, praises dead Hamas leader’s “virtues on the path of the Palestinian national struggle”
PMW
10.10.24
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PMW Website
The main arguments of the article are:
Abbas' Support for Hamas: Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas visited the sons of the deceased Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar, expressing condolences and praising Haniyeh's role in the Palestinian national struggle. This act highlights Abbas' support for Hamas leaders.
Political Unity Between PA and Hamas: Abbas' outreach to Hamas is tied to the need for political unity in Palestine, especially after the Hamas-led atrocities on October 7, 2023, which gained broad support among Palestinians. Abbas’ PA has been actively working to unite with Hamas, as indicated by statements from Mahmoud Al-Habbash, Abbas' advisor, calling Hamas an integral part of the Palestinian people.
Hamas’ Popularity Among Palestinians: The article emphasizes that Hamas' actions, including the violent attacks on Israel, are widely supported by Palestinians, with polls indicating that 98% of Palestinians felt pride over Hamas’ atrocities. This strong popular support for Hamas forces Abbas to align with them for political reasons.
Abbas' Political Strategy: Abbas' engagement with Hamas and their leadership is portrayed as a strategic move to maintain political relevance, given Hamas' growing popularity and influence among Palestinians, which is vital for any future political leadership.