Palestinian Authority wary of Hamas intentions toward the US
The idea that Hamas could deal directly with Washington stirs the Palestinian Authority’s fear of being replaced by the movement.
A senior Hamas official's statement that the movement is open to talking with Americans has provoked angry reactions among members of the Palestinian Authority (PA), which accuses Hamas of trying to bypass the PA by establishing dialogue with Washington.
The Palestinian media didn't cover the statement until March 30, almost a month after Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad told Fox News in a Feb. 26 interview, “We are open to talk to the Americans, to the Europeans, to anyone, to discuss our cause and to talk about everything.”
The United States designated Hamas a foreign terrorist organization in 1997 and still deals with the group as such.
The negative reaction comes amid heightened tension between Hamas and its rival faction Fatah after protests March 14-15 in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip against poor living conditions. Hamas violently cracked down on these protests and was harshly criticized by Fatah leaders, including PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
