PLO Is the Only Legitimate Representative of Palestinians, Abbas Says

Palestine Liberation Organization is the only legitimate representative of Palestinians, Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas has reportedly said.
PLO Is the Only Legitimate Representative of Palestinians, Abbas Says
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas holds a joint press conference with the Turkish president after their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on July 25, 2023. Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images
Stephen Katte
Updated:
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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has reportedly said the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), of which he is the chairman, is the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

Based out of the West Bank, which forms the bulk of Palestinian territories, the PLO—and by extension the most prominent faction in the organization, Fatah—stands in direct opposition to rival group Hamas, which currently rules the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Abbas made the comments during a phone call with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, during which they discussed the latest developments in the conflict, according to a report from Palestinian state-run news outlet WAFA, also known as the Palestine News Agency.

Mr. Abbas directly criticized Hamas, saying the PLO’s policies, programs, and decisions represent the Palestinian people as the sole legitimate representative, according to the state media. However, references to Hamas have since been removed from the report for unknown reasons.

The original WAFA report on Mr. Abbas’s call said, “The president also stressed that Hamas’ policies and actions do not represent the Palestinian people, and the policies, programs, and decisions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) represent the Palestinian people as their sole legitimate representative.”

However, it now reads, “The president also stressed that the policies, programs, and decisions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) represent the Palestinian people as their sole legitimate representative, and not the policies of any other organization.”

Mr. Abbas further stated that both sides of the conflict, Israel and Hamas, need to release prisoners and detainees.

He stressed his belief that urgent humanitarian corridors should be opened to the Gaza Strip, where civilians remain blockaded, so they can access medical supplies, water, electricity, and fuel.

Mr. Abbas and representatives of WAFA didn’t respond by press time to requests by The Epoch Times for further comment.

Abbas Calls for End to Violence

Israeli forces, supported by a growing deployment of U.S. warships in the region in deterrence posturing aimed at Iran, have positioned themselves along Gaza’s border.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Jewish state’s military aim is to dismantle Hamas and ensure it will no longer be a threat.

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