17 aug 2015
Do Tony Blair's shuttle visits to Doha for meetings with the leadership of the Islamic Resistance Movement — Hamas — mean that he is about to befriend the Palestinian group? The short answer is no, with a capital "N". They must not for one moment be interpreted as a change of heart or political conversion, not even in light of the fact that there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. In this instance, it is all about the interests of those involved. In spite of his failure as the Middle East Quartet's peace envoy, the former British prime minister still enjoys the trust and confidence of the Israeli establishment. His current efforts are by no means part of the so-called "peace process", even though he would have preferred some sort of link. They are, instead, limited to securing an agreement with the resistance factions in the Gaza Strip, and Hamas in particular.
In reality, the issues under discussion are very much the same that were agreed upon after the previous three Israeli offensives against the Gaza Strip. Though guaranteed by Egypt on every occasion, not one of these was fully implemented.
Perhaps all that has changed is that the situation on the ground for the Palestinians in Gaza has worsened beyond measure, thus forcing Hamas to explore the Blair initiative. The movement's basic demands, however, remain unchanged: an end to the siege, a permanent opening of the border crossings, the flow of humanitarian aid and construction materials to be allowed to enter the enclave.
As in 2014, the current discussions are also about the establishment of a sea corridor from Cyprus and Greece to Gaza's port. Reports that Israel has agreed to this in principle must be taken with a pinch of salt. The coalition government in Tel Aviv is dominated by religious fanatics and racial supremacists of the Israeli far-right, and it is questionable whether they would ever support any of the above, let alone open access by sea.
On balance, though, the objective of having a sea corridor to Gaza should not be abandoned, given that the Egyptians are unlikely to open the Rafah crossing permanently. There are two reasons for Cairo's stance. The first relates to the security situation in the Sinai and the second to Gaza itself. The Palestinian issue is, arguably, the most potent instrument of leverage that the Egyptian regime can use to exert regional influence. As such, it will not make any concessions today or any time in the foreseeable future.
For its part, the Netanyahu government desperately wants to restore some semblance of normality to its southern border with Gaza. The current state of no war, no peace has left settlers in the area living in uncertainty. They hold their government responsible for their never-ending dread.
It is in this context that Blair's initiative becomes important. If there is anything that could reassure the Israelis it is the disarmament of the resistance factions in Gaza; Netanyahu has made this demand after every Israeli war on the enclave but has failed to achieve it.
So far, there is nothing to suggest that Blair will succeed on this issue. Sources close to the Doha discussions told MEMO that the any talk of Hamas "decommissioning" its weapons (to use Blair's Northern Ireland phrase) is off the table. On the contrary, the movement has no intention of curtailing the development of its military capability. The announcement last week that it has put into service a captured and repaired Israeli drone speaks volumes.
Despite the huge gap between the parties there is no doubt that the Blair talks have had some positive outcomes, albeit limited. For a start, it has broken the diplomatic blockade that has been imposed on Hamas for the better part of the past decade. Moreover, it is clear that whatever political or security changes are planned for the region's future, they will have to take into account the movement's legitimate demands.
Deep within himself Tony Blair must be agonising over his current role; he is having to deal with an organisation that he once helped to proscribe in Europe. Who would have thought that he would sit down with Khaled Meshaal without Hamas having first implemented the Quartet's infamous preconditions of the recognition of the state of Israel, adherence to previous diplomatic agreements, and renunciation of violence as a means of achieving its goals?
After trying everything from assassinations to blockade and war, Hamas has not disappeared. There is still no love lost between the movement and its regional and international adversaries, so the issue today is certainly not about friendship. It is simply about attesting to the failure of a discredited policy of blockading and isolating arguably the major player in Palestinian politics, leading to years of wasted opportunities to make progress. It's never too late to make a new beginning, though, and now would be a very good time to do it.
In reality, the issues under discussion are very much the same that were agreed upon after the previous three Israeli offensives against the Gaza Strip. Though guaranteed by Egypt on every occasion, not one of these was fully implemented.
Perhaps all that has changed is that the situation on the ground for the Palestinians in Gaza has worsened beyond measure, thus forcing Hamas to explore the Blair initiative. The movement's basic demands, however, remain unchanged: an end to the siege, a permanent opening of the border crossings, the flow of humanitarian aid and construction materials to be allowed to enter the enclave.
As in 2014, the current discussions are also about the establishment of a sea corridor from Cyprus and Greece to Gaza's port. Reports that Israel has agreed to this in principle must be taken with a pinch of salt. The coalition government in Tel Aviv is dominated by religious fanatics and racial supremacists of the Israeli far-right, and it is questionable whether they would ever support any of the above, let alone open access by sea.
On balance, though, the objective of having a sea corridor to Gaza should not be abandoned, given that the Egyptians are unlikely to open the Rafah crossing permanently. There are two reasons for Cairo's stance. The first relates to the security situation in the Sinai and the second to Gaza itself. The Palestinian issue is, arguably, the most potent instrument of leverage that the Egyptian regime can use to exert regional influence. As such, it will not make any concessions today or any time in the foreseeable future.
For its part, the Netanyahu government desperately wants to restore some semblance of normality to its southern border with Gaza. The current state of no war, no peace has left settlers in the area living in uncertainty. They hold their government responsible for their never-ending dread.
It is in this context that Blair's initiative becomes important. If there is anything that could reassure the Israelis it is the disarmament of the resistance factions in Gaza; Netanyahu has made this demand after every Israeli war on the enclave but has failed to achieve it.
So far, there is nothing to suggest that Blair will succeed on this issue. Sources close to the Doha discussions told MEMO that the any talk of Hamas "decommissioning" its weapons (to use Blair's Northern Ireland phrase) is off the table. On the contrary, the movement has no intention of curtailing the development of its military capability. The announcement last week that it has put into service a captured and repaired Israeli drone speaks volumes.
Despite the huge gap between the parties there is no doubt that the Blair talks have had some positive outcomes, albeit limited. For a start, it has broken the diplomatic blockade that has been imposed on Hamas for the better part of the past decade. Moreover, it is clear that whatever political or security changes are planned for the region's future, they will have to take into account the movement's legitimate demands.
Deep within himself Tony Blair must be agonising over his current role; he is having to deal with an organisation that he once helped to proscribe in Europe. Who would have thought that he would sit down with Khaled Meshaal without Hamas having first implemented the Quartet's infamous preconditions of the recognition of the state of Israel, adherence to previous diplomatic agreements, and renunciation of violence as a means of achieving its goals?
After trying everything from assassinations to blockade and war, Hamas has not disappeared. There is still no love lost between the movement and its regional and international adversaries, so the issue today is certainly not about friendship. It is simply about attesting to the failure of a discredited policy of blockading and isolating arguably the major player in Palestinian politics, leading to years of wasted opportunities to make progress. It's never too late to make a new beginning, though, and now would be a very good time to do it.
Turkey to halt anti-Israeli Hamas activity within borders
On Sunday, a senior adviser to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Yasin Aktay, said that there will be a truce between the Gaza-based Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the Israeli occupation authorities, regarding the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.
“Gaza is heading towards a comprehensive agreement on the issue of lifting the blockade and opening the [border] crossings in a long-term ceasefire deal with Israel,” Aktay said, according to the PNN.
“The issue was discussed during [Hamas chief] Khaled Mashal’s visit to Ankara last week,” he added, noting that Mashal discussed the detail of an agreement mediated by former British prime minister and Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair.
AFP said that Hamas representatives also gave details of the meeting between Blair and Mashal in Doha, which was reported by Palestinian and Arab media on Thursday.
According to reports, Blair met Mashal for the second time in a month and a half and the two discussed the implementation of the ceasefire with Israel in exchange for lifting the blockade on Gaza.
On a related note, Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas movement in Gaza, and his delegation are set to meet with the head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service to discuss the truce. The delegation will also be visiting Qatar and Turkey, said i24.
In late July, Palestinian news site Al Quds al Arabi reported that Hamas’s representative in Lebanon, Ali Baraka, as saying that there were improvements in the group’s relationship with Egypt, i24 added.
“Egypt’s security is a Palestinian interest,” Baraka said.
Hamas recently held meetings with representatives from the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, during which it updated them with the details of talks with European and American officials about a ceasefire with Israel.
A spokesperson for Hamas said that any proposal offered regarding a ceasefire will be presented to the Palestinian factions.
i24 said that according to London-based Arabic-language daily al-Hayat, Israel agreed to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip, imposed in 2007, “entirely” as well as establish a naval passageway between the strip and Cyprus. In exchange, Hamas would agree to a long-term ceasefire which would last between seven to 10 years.
Both Israeli and Palestinian officials for Hamas have confirmed indirect talks have been occurring through European mediators, and similar reports in March of a a long-term ceasefire by Hamas in exchange for the lifting of the blockade were strongly denied by the group.
The reports of the meeting between Blair and Mashal come after a top-level delegation led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s special envoy, Isaac Molho, held talks in Cairo on Tuesday with Egyptian military representatives.
The visit by the five-person delegation reflects the greatly improved ties between Israel and Egypt since Sisi came to power two years ago. No details of the talks were divulged.
In May, ahead of Egypt’s presidential election, Sisi declared that his country’s peace pact with Israel was stable and offered to mediate talks between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at reaching a negotiated agreement.
In addition, Israeli radio, said on Sunday afternoon that Turkey has decided to halt any form of anti-Israel activity from within its borders, as a move to re-normalize the relations between Turkish-Israeli sides.
Risht-B Hebrew broadcast said that Turkish officials, including an adviser of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu , stated that Turkey will blatantly repress any military activity by Hamas members in Turkey, against Israel.
He said that his country empathizes with and supports Hamas, but will not let it launch any acts against Israeli from Turkey for the diplomatic ties between the two authorities.
On Sunday, a senior adviser to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Yasin Aktay, said that there will be a truce between the Gaza-based Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the Israeli occupation authorities, regarding the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.
“Gaza is heading towards a comprehensive agreement on the issue of lifting the blockade and opening the [border] crossings in a long-term ceasefire deal with Israel,” Aktay said, according to the PNN.
“The issue was discussed during [Hamas chief] Khaled Mashal’s visit to Ankara last week,” he added, noting that Mashal discussed the detail of an agreement mediated by former British prime minister and Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair.
AFP said that Hamas representatives also gave details of the meeting between Blair and Mashal in Doha, which was reported by Palestinian and Arab media on Thursday.
According to reports, Blair met Mashal for the second time in a month and a half and the two discussed the implementation of the ceasefire with Israel in exchange for lifting the blockade on Gaza.
On a related note, Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas movement in Gaza, and his delegation are set to meet with the head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service to discuss the truce. The delegation will also be visiting Qatar and Turkey, said i24.
In late July, Palestinian news site Al Quds al Arabi reported that Hamas’s representative in Lebanon, Ali Baraka, as saying that there were improvements in the group’s relationship with Egypt, i24 added.
“Egypt’s security is a Palestinian interest,” Baraka said.
Hamas recently held meetings with representatives from the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, during which it updated them with the details of talks with European and American officials about a ceasefire with Israel.
A spokesperson for Hamas said that any proposal offered regarding a ceasefire will be presented to the Palestinian factions.
i24 said that according to London-based Arabic-language daily al-Hayat, Israel agreed to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip, imposed in 2007, “entirely” as well as establish a naval passageway between the strip and Cyprus. In exchange, Hamas would agree to a long-term ceasefire which would last between seven to 10 years.
Both Israeli and Palestinian officials for Hamas have confirmed indirect talks have been occurring through European mediators, and similar reports in March of a a long-term ceasefire by Hamas in exchange for the lifting of the blockade were strongly denied by the group.
The reports of the meeting between Blair and Mashal come after a top-level delegation led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s special envoy, Isaac Molho, held talks in Cairo on Tuesday with Egyptian military representatives.
The visit by the five-person delegation reflects the greatly improved ties between Israel and Egypt since Sisi came to power two years ago. No details of the talks were divulged.
In May, ahead of Egypt’s presidential election, Sisi declared that his country’s peace pact with Israel was stable and offered to mediate talks between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at reaching a negotiated agreement.
In addition, Israeli radio, said on Sunday afternoon that Turkey has decided to halt any form of anti-Israel activity from within its borders, as a move to re-normalize the relations between Turkish-Israeli sides.
Risht-B Hebrew broadcast said that Turkish officials, including an adviser of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu , stated that Turkey will blatantly repress any military activity by Hamas members in Turkey, against Israel.
He said that his country empathizes with and supports Hamas, but will not let it launch any acts against Israeli from Turkey for the diplomatic ties between the two authorities.
In a meeting held Sunday, Hamas and Jihad movements discussed the ongoing international efforts to maintain the ceasefire agreement with the Israeli occupation.
The meeting was attended by a Hamas delegation led by the deputy head of its political bureau Ismail Haneyya and four members of Jihad movement’s political bureau.
Several important issues were discussed during the meeting including enhancing cooperation between the two groups and ways to deal with the current political developments and Israeli escalated violations.
A joint statement affirmed that the two Palestinian groups discussed ways to end Gaza siege, the international efforts to maintain the ceasefire deal, and the Israeli settlers’ crimes and attacks against the Palestinian people and holy places.
The delegates also dealt with the resistance's possible response to Israeli crimes, hailing, in the meantime, the Palestinian popular resistance against settlers’ attacks, the statement added.
It stressed the urgent need to end the internal division and to achieve national reconciliation, calling on Hamdallah’s government to bear its responsibilities towards the people of Gaza.
In another context, the statement warned of the serious implications of Israeli punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners.
The two movements also hailed the strong will of hunger strikers especially the prisoner Mohamed Allan who is threatened to be force-fed after he refused to break his strike without meeting his demands.
Regarding UNRWA crisis, the groups called on the UN agency not to stop its services as it remain essential for the Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza.
The meeting was attended by a Hamas delegation led by the deputy head of its political bureau Ismail Haneyya and four members of Jihad movement’s political bureau.
Several important issues were discussed during the meeting including enhancing cooperation between the two groups and ways to deal with the current political developments and Israeli escalated violations.
A joint statement affirmed that the two Palestinian groups discussed ways to end Gaza siege, the international efforts to maintain the ceasefire deal, and the Israeli settlers’ crimes and attacks against the Palestinian people and holy places.
The delegates also dealt with the resistance's possible response to Israeli crimes, hailing, in the meantime, the Palestinian popular resistance against settlers’ attacks, the statement added.
It stressed the urgent need to end the internal division and to achieve national reconciliation, calling on Hamdallah’s government to bear its responsibilities towards the people of Gaza.
In another context, the statement warned of the serious implications of Israeli punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners.
The two movements also hailed the strong will of hunger strikers especially the prisoner Mohamed Allan who is threatened to be force-fed after he refused to break his strike without meeting his demands.
Regarding UNRWA crisis, the groups called on the UN agency not to stop its services as it remain essential for the Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza.
16 aug 2015
Actress Penelope Cruz and her husband Javier Bardem have roused the fury of Hollywood producers, with pledges made to snub the Spanish couple.
Oscar-winner Bardem and Cruz signed an open letter speaking against “the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation army”.
According to IB Times/Days of Palestine, the letter accused the Israeli occupation of “advancing on Palestinian territories instead of withdrawing to the 1967 borders.
“Gaza is living through horror… while the international community does nothing.”
The Spanish letter was signed by 100 leading figures in the film industry, including director Pedro Almodovar.
One top producer who has worked with Cruz says he privately has vowed not to hire her again, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Another top Hollywood executive also privately expressed his disapproval, saying he is “furious at Javier and Penelope” and was not sure about working with the Spanish couple again.
Hollywood big names have waded into the controversy, including comedian Joan Rivers. When quizzed by a TMZ reporter on her thoughts about the 2,000 Palestinians who have so far been killed, she said: “Oh my God! Tell that to the people in Hiroshima.
“Good. Good. When you declare war, you declare war. They started it. We now do not count who is dead. You are dead, you deserve to be dead. Do not you dare make me feel bad about that.
“They were told to get out. They did not get out. You do not get out, you are an idiot. At least the ones that were killed were the ones with low IQs.”
Oscar-winner Bardem and Cruz signed an open letter speaking against “the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation army”.
According to IB Times/Days of Palestine, the letter accused the Israeli occupation of “advancing on Palestinian territories instead of withdrawing to the 1967 borders.
“Gaza is living through horror… while the international community does nothing.”
The Spanish letter was signed by 100 leading figures in the film industry, including director Pedro Almodovar.
One top producer who has worked with Cruz says he privately has vowed not to hire her again, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Another top Hollywood executive also privately expressed his disapproval, saying he is “furious at Javier and Penelope” and was not sure about working with the Spanish couple again.
Hollywood big names have waded into the controversy, including comedian Joan Rivers. When quizzed by a TMZ reporter on her thoughts about the 2,000 Palestinians who have so far been killed, she said: “Oh my God! Tell that to the people in Hiroshima.
“Good. Good. When you declare war, you declare war. They started it. We now do not count who is dead. You are dead, you deserve to be dead. Do not you dare make me feel bad about that.
“They were told to get out. They did not get out. You do not get out, you are an idiot. At least the ones that were killed were the ones with low IQs.”
Muhammad Shaaban, 24
The body of a young Palestinian man was found near the Egyptian border in Gaza on Sunday morning, Palestinian sources told Ma'an.
Muhammad Shaaban, 24, from Rafah in the southern Gaza strip was announced missing yesterday. The cause of death is not yet known.
Egyptian authorities on Saturday announced that Gaza's border crossing with Egypt will be opened for travel into and out of the Gaza Strip for four days starting Sunday. The Rafah crossing is the primary lifeline to the outside world for Gaza's 1.8 million residents.
The body of a young Palestinian man was found near the Egyptian border in Gaza on Sunday morning, Palestinian sources told Ma'an.
Muhammad Shaaban, 24, from Rafah in the southern Gaza strip was announced missing yesterday. The cause of death is not yet known.
Egyptian authorities on Saturday announced that Gaza's border crossing with Egypt will be opened for travel into and out of the Gaza Strip for four days starting Sunday. The Rafah crossing is the primary lifeline to the outside world for Gaza's 1.8 million residents.
Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, has warned that it will be absolved of the truce agreement with Israel in Gaza if administrative detainee Mohamed Allan died due to his long hunger strike.
The Brigades also threatened in a press release on Friday to respond strongly if Allan died in prison.
The Israeli jailers transferred Allan a few days ago to Barzilai hospital after he went into a coma as a result of two months of hunger strike in protest his detention administratively with no guilt.
The Brigades also threatened in a press release on Friday to respond strongly if Allan died in prison.
The Israeli jailers transferred Allan a few days ago to Barzilai hospital after he went into a coma as a result of two months of hunger strike in protest his detention administratively with no guilt.
15 aug 2015
Member of Fatah Central Committee Mohammad Shtayyeh admitted the failure of Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
In a speech delivered at the opening of the refugees’ conference at Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, Shtayyeh said the PA should have turned into a state since 1999, but Israel destroyed everything and sought to cancel the PA, especially during the Second Intifada.
He stressed that the PA is a mere title and, in fact, it is an expanded municipality.
The Fatah leader opined that Israel does not want a state of Palestine established on 1967 borders as it knows well once such a state is established the end of Israel would automatically start.
In a speech delivered at the opening of the refugees’ conference at Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, Shtayyeh said the PA should have turned into a state since 1999, but Israel destroyed everything and sought to cancel the PA, especially during the Second Intifada.
He stressed that the PA is a mere title and, in fact, it is an expanded municipality.
The Fatah leader opined that Israel does not want a state of Palestine established on 1967 borders as it knows well once such a state is established the end of Israel would automatically start.
Former US president Jimmy Carter said, recently, that the two-state solution has “zero chance” of being realized in the present day, pointing to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for the plan's failure.
In a wide-ranging interview with Prospect Magazine published on Thursday, Carter accused Netanyahu of adopting a “one-state solution,” and lamented that the “US had withdrawn” from making further efforts.
According to Days of Palestine, he further accused the Israeli occupation of denying Palestinians equal rights, but stopped short of labelling the Israeli occupation an apartheid state, a term he utilised in his 2006 book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid".
“These are the worst prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians for years. At this moment, there is zero chance of the two-state solution,” Carter said.
Carter, who served as US president from 1977 to 1981, said he believes that Netanyahu has no intention of pursuing peace, and lamented that “They [Palestinians] will never get equal rights [to Israeli Jews, in a one-state solution].”
Netanyahu “does not now and has never sincerely believed in a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine,” Carter added.
He noted that when he visited the Israeli occupation and the occupied West Bank in April, he did not bother to contact Netanyahu for a meeting, on the grounds that “it would be a waste of time to ask” — expecting that the request would be rebuffed as were previous ones.
The former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner gave the interview ahead of the launch of his new book, A Full Life: Reflections at 90, and shortly after he announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with cancer. He will turn 91 in October.
Responding to a question on the use of the term "apartheid" in relation to the Israeli occupation, Carter said that he is “reluctant to use that word in a news article” but asserted that the argument has legitimacy because of demographic changes in the Israeli occupation and the West Bank.
Either “Palestinians will have a majority in government, or you deprive them of equal rights,” he noted, suggesting that the Israeli occupation would not accept a Palestinian political majority.
In a wide-ranging interview with Prospect Magazine published on Thursday, Carter accused Netanyahu of adopting a “one-state solution,” and lamented that the “US had withdrawn” from making further efforts.
According to Days of Palestine, he further accused the Israeli occupation of denying Palestinians equal rights, but stopped short of labelling the Israeli occupation an apartheid state, a term he utilised in his 2006 book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid".
“These are the worst prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians for years. At this moment, there is zero chance of the two-state solution,” Carter said.
Carter, who served as US president from 1977 to 1981, said he believes that Netanyahu has no intention of pursuing peace, and lamented that “They [Palestinians] will never get equal rights [to Israeli Jews, in a one-state solution].”
Netanyahu “does not now and has never sincerely believed in a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine,” Carter added.
He noted that when he visited the Israeli occupation and the occupied West Bank in April, he did not bother to contact Netanyahu for a meeting, on the grounds that “it would be a waste of time to ask” — expecting that the request would be rebuffed as were previous ones.
The former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner gave the interview ahead of the launch of his new book, A Full Life: Reflections at 90, and shortly after he announced Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with cancer. He will turn 91 in October.
Responding to a question on the use of the term "apartheid" in relation to the Israeli occupation, Carter said that he is “reluctant to use that word in a news article” but asserted that the argument has legitimacy because of demographic changes in the Israeli occupation and the West Bank.
Either “Palestinians will have a majority in government, or you deprive them of equal rights,” he noted, suggesting that the Israeli occupation would not accept a Palestinian political majority.
14 aug 2015
Unlike his predecessor, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz is keen on resuming a relationship between Hamas and Saudi Arabia
The head of the Hamas political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, has said that the movement and Saudi Arabia have entered a new phase in their relations. He stressed that the kingdom is one of the most important countries in the region.
Meshaal made his comments as Hamas officials revealed that he will travel to Saudi Arabia in mid-September to meet with the Saudi ruler, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz for the second time in a couple of months. The thaw in relations started when Meshaal visited Saudi Arabia in July to meet local officials as well as the monarch, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef and deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
"There is a new Saudi trend to recognise Hamas after a period of exclusion," explained Palestinian political analyst Adnan Abu Amer. "That was the policy practiced by the late King Abdullah."
Abu Amer told Gulf Online that Hamas and Saudi Arabia are willing and serious about establishing a new relationship, "especially in the midst of what appears to be a dispute between Iran and the Palestinian resistance movement." Tehran's recent crackdown on Meshaal, he claimed, has led to improving relations between Saudi Arabia and Hamas, despite Iran's desire to create rivalry between the two.
"It is clear that there is a desire to keep the agenda of Meshaal's first and second visits to Saudi Arabia hidden," he added, although he expects Riyadh to play a bigger role in the Palestinian scene. "This would include mediation, along with Egypt, in the internal Palestinian reconciliation, as well as the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip."
The head of the Hamas political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, has said that the movement and Saudi Arabia have entered a new phase in their relations. He stressed that the kingdom is one of the most important countries in the region.
Meshaal made his comments as Hamas officials revealed that he will travel to Saudi Arabia in mid-September to meet with the Saudi ruler, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz for the second time in a couple of months. The thaw in relations started when Meshaal visited Saudi Arabia in July to meet local officials as well as the monarch, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef and deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
"There is a new Saudi trend to recognise Hamas after a period of exclusion," explained Palestinian political analyst Adnan Abu Amer. "That was the policy practiced by the late King Abdullah."
Abu Amer told Gulf Online that Hamas and Saudi Arabia are willing and serious about establishing a new relationship, "especially in the midst of what appears to be a dispute between Iran and the Palestinian resistance movement." Tehran's recent crackdown on Meshaal, he claimed, has led to improving relations between Saudi Arabia and Hamas, despite Iran's desire to create rivalry between the two.
"It is clear that there is a desire to keep the agenda of Meshaal's first and second visits to Saudi Arabia hidden," he added, although he expects Riyadh to play a bigger role in the Palestinian scene. "This would include mediation, along with Egypt, in the internal Palestinian reconciliation, as well as the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip."
The Palestinian people and resistance will never remain silent over the attacks carried out by extremist Israelis in the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem, deputy head of Hamas, Ismail Haneyya, said Thursday evening.
Speaking during a mass wedding in Khan Younis, Haneyya spoke out against the judaization schemes and desecration assaults perpetrated by fanatic Israelis at Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
“We shall cut off the hands that dare desecrate our holy al-Aqsa,” he vowed.
He hailed West Bankers saying: “Some people are trying to change facts on the ground and blur identities. But the West Bank will forever remain devoted to the agenda and tenets of the Palestinian resistance. The ongoing anti-occupation operations are the best proofs of the self-determination and abnegation maintained by West Bank youths.”
“The Palestinian resistance shall never forfeit a single drop of our people’s blood; neither shall we stand offhand in front of settlers’ attempts to break into our homes and burn our children alive,” he further vowed.
He hailed the family of the Palestinian new born Ali Dawabsheh, burned to death following an arson attack by Israeli vandals on his family home.
Speaking during a mass wedding in Khan Younis, Haneyya spoke out against the judaization schemes and desecration assaults perpetrated by fanatic Israelis at Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
“We shall cut off the hands that dare desecrate our holy al-Aqsa,” he vowed.
He hailed West Bankers saying: “Some people are trying to change facts on the ground and blur identities. But the West Bank will forever remain devoted to the agenda and tenets of the Palestinian resistance. The ongoing anti-occupation operations are the best proofs of the self-determination and abnegation maintained by West Bank youths.”
“The Palestinian resistance shall never forfeit a single drop of our people’s blood; neither shall we stand offhand in front of settlers’ attempts to break into our homes and burn our children alive,” he further vowed.
He hailed the family of the Palestinian new born Ali Dawabsheh, burned to death following an arson attack by Israeli vandals on his family home.
Political bureau head of Hamas, Khaled Mishaal, denied recent allegations on the group’s interference in the Syrian and Egyptian home affairs.
Mishaal, currently in Ankara for a meeting with the Turkish President and the Prime Minister, told the BBC TV Channel that any journalist can prove such allegations false without necessarily checking with the group’s leadership.
He reiterated Hamas’s adoption of a policy of non-interference as regards the internal affairs of other states, saying: “The group’s ties with Arab states aim at mobilizing the nation’s support for the Palestinian cause.”
He further stressed the strategic role played by Saudi Arabia in the region.
On Wednesday, Mishaal met with the Turkish President and the Prime Minister in Ankara, where they went over the latest regional and international developments affecting the Palestinian cause.
Earlier this year, Mishaal met the Turkish President as he joined the annual congress of the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party. Both parties discussed the Palestinian cause and ways to lift the tough siege on Gaza.
Mishaal had also recently met with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Doha and received an official invitation to visit Moscow.
A few weeks earlier, Hamas’s chief paid a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz.
A series of meetings was also carried out by Mishaal with European officials and delegations, most notably former Middle East Quartet Envoy, also former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair over possible ways to stabilize the ceasefire in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Mishaal, currently in Ankara for a meeting with the Turkish President and the Prime Minister, told the BBC TV Channel that any journalist can prove such allegations false without necessarily checking with the group’s leadership.
He reiterated Hamas’s adoption of a policy of non-interference as regards the internal affairs of other states, saying: “The group’s ties with Arab states aim at mobilizing the nation’s support for the Palestinian cause.”
He further stressed the strategic role played by Saudi Arabia in the region.
On Wednesday, Mishaal met with the Turkish President and the Prime Minister in Ankara, where they went over the latest regional and international developments affecting the Palestinian cause.
Earlier this year, Mishaal met the Turkish President as he joined the annual congress of the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party. Both parties discussed the Palestinian cause and ways to lift the tough siege on Gaza.
Mishaal had also recently met with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Doha and received an official invitation to visit Moscow.
A few weeks earlier, Hamas’s chief paid a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz.
A series of meetings was also carried out by Mishaal with European officials and delegations, most notably former Middle East Quartet Envoy, also former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair over possible ways to stabilize the ceasefire in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, released a series of meetings with the Palestinian factions to discuss the Palestinian interior affairs.
In a statement on Thursday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri revealed that his movement held a series of meetings with leaders of Palestinian factions a few days ago. The factions included Islamic Jihad, Fatah, Popular and Democratic Fronts, and the National Initiative.
Abu Zuhri pointed out that the meetings were held separately and confirmed that they aimed at exerting communication efforts with the national factions and at strengthening the mutual work in favor of the Palestinian Question.
The talks discussed the latest political developments, the interior situation and the Palestinian suffering. A presentation by Hamas was included in the meetings and explained its talks with the European and international parties including meetings with Toney Blair over the issue of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, Abu Zuhri said.
He confirmed that any proposal would be submitted to Hamas movement will be presented to the factions.
Regarding the interior affairs, Abu Zuhri said it was agreed, in the talks, on the necessity of holding a temporary leadership framework and forming a unity government based on a comprehensive national dialogue in addition to a mutual cooperation to solve electricity and employees crises.
The Hamas leader Abu Zuhri denied the idea of establishing a state in Gaza or separating Gaza from other Palestinian territories, saying it has nothing to do with truth.
He revealed that the factions have agreed on the refusal of UNRWA’s reductions of services in the field of education. They considered it as politicalized measures offending the right of return. They agreed to escalate the pace of protests against UNRWA’s procedures as well.
Meetings will be continued with other factions during the coming days, the Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri underlined.
In a statement on Thursday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri revealed that his movement held a series of meetings with leaders of Palestinian factions a few days ago. The factions included Islamic Jihad, Fatah, Popular and Democratic Fronts, and the National Initiative.
Abu Zuhri pointed out that the meetings were held separately and confirmed that they aimed at exerting communication efforts with the national factions and at strengthening the mutual work in favor of the Palestinian Question.
The talks discussed the latest political developments, the interior situation and the Palestinian suffering. A presentation by Hamas was included in the meetings and explained its talks with the European and international parties including meetings with Toney Blair over the issue of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, Abu Zuhri said.
He confirmed that any proposal would be submitted to Hamas movement will be presented to the factions.
Regarding the interior affairs, Abu Zuhri said it was agreed, in the talks, on the necessity of holding a temporary leadership framework and forming a unity government based on a comprehensive national dialogue in addition to a mutual cooperation to solve electricity and employees crises.
The Hamas leader Abu Zuhri denied the idea of establishing a state in Gaza or separating Gaza from other Palestinian territories, saying it has nothing to do with truth.
He revealed that the factions have agreed on the refusal of UNRWA’s reductions of services in the field of education. They considered it as politicalized measures offending the right of return. They agreed to escalate the pace of protests against UNRWA’s procedures as well.
Meetings will be continued with other factions during the coming days, the Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri underlined.