Fatah and the Palestinian Authority on Wednesday condemned Hamas for the first time since the outbreak of war and strongly attacked the terrorist organization – but not, as one would expect, because of the October 7 massacre. The reason: Senior Hamas figure Fathi Hamad called Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his associates "traitors" and called on the Palestinians to rise up against him.
"The statements made by Hamad, a member of Hamas' political leadership, reflect a deterioration to a moral and national low," Fatah said. "The statements of some Hamas members are consistent with the statements and goals of Netanyahu, who attacks President Abbas day and night," senior Hamas officials said, demanding that Hamas issue a public apology for Hamad's remarks.
Senior Hamas figure Fathi Hamad, photo: AP
"Weak President Mahmoud Abbas"
It should be noted that Fathi Hamad is considered one of the extremist markers in the Hamas movement. His remarks, which caused a storm today in Ramallah, were broadcast a few days ago on Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV. "The Palestinian people must be united under the slogan 'There is no God but Allah.' It is inconceivable that weak President Mahmoud Abbas will rule alone over part of the Palestinian people and hold up arms," Hamad said, "There are 70,<> Kalashnikovs there that are directed against the Palestinian people. We need to rise up and get rid of this treachery."
Mahmoud Abbas and Erdogan (archive)
Other Fatah members responded by saying, "Hamad has poisoned thinking that serves the occupation and deepens the division among the Palestinian people." They also criticized the timing of the statement: "The statements attacking Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian security apparatuses come at a time of the difficult circumstances that our people are going through, and at a time when the Israeli war machine continues the bloodshed of our people," they said. "What Hamad said was spreading hatred among the Palestinian people, at a time when we need the unity of the National Front. These statements sow divisiveness," added Tayseer Nasrallah, a member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council.
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