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 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.
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.
Mr. Abbas also has called for an end to Israel’s military strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza, which have also killed Palestinian civilians and resulted in the displacement of an estimated 1 million Gazans that he warned may become a “second Nakba.” The Nakba refers to Palestinian displacement, statelessness, and fracturing in 1948, in the First Arab–Israeli War that Israelis refer to as their War of Independence.
“All of us recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and support equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” the world leaders said.
“But make no mistake: Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed.”
