Hamas courts Saudis
Hamas is seeking a rapprochement with Saudi Arabia to improve its leverage in Palestinian reconciliation talks, which might not please Egypt, which has long brokered the discussions, or Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Despite the tensions plaguing Hamas’ regional relations, including its ruptures with Egypt and Iran, the movement continues in its effort to overcome its current isolation, which is exacerbated by the actions and policies of Israel, the Palestinian Authority (PA) and others in the region. In this regard, Hamas is seeking a rapprochement with Saudi Arabia, hoping to move beyond the deadlock that characterized relations during the reign of the late King Abdullah.
In early May, Hamas called for Saudi intervention in its stalled reconciliation talks with Fatah. Ali Baraka, Hamas’ representative in Lebanon, said on May 5 that Khaled Meshaal, head of the Hamas Political Bureau, had contacted King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud in late February to discuss the kingdom's support of Palestinian reconciliation, reconstruction in Gaza and lifting of the Gaza blockade. Ismail Haniyeh, deputy head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, had said on May 1 that Riyadh is working to bring about a new reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made for a Hamas delegation to visit Riyadh.
By encouraging a Saudi role in Palestinian affairs, Hamas is hoping not only to gain the kingdom’s backing to end the siege on Gaza and the split with Fatah, but also to restore relations with Egypt. The movement continues to suffer from a severe financial crisis. When Hamas refused to lend its support to the Syrian regime in the face of the popular revolution, financial backing from Iran came to a halt, in late 2011.
Efforts to restore ties have been difficult, with Iran imposing strict conditions on their resumption. The Iranians asked Meshaal not to try to meet with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a planned (but eventually postponed) visit to Iran. Tehran has also insisted that Hamas apologize for supporting the Syrian revolution and to announce support for the Syrian regime. Given its ongoing troubles with Iran, Hamas is thus probably hoping to secure Saudi support to alleviate the dire economic situation plaguing Palestinians in Gaza.
