Iran Strengthens Ties To Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Iran has deepened its relationship with Islamic Jihad while maintaining good ties with Hamas, writes Abeer Ayyoub.
![PALESTINIANS-ISRAEL/ A Palestinian woman walks next to a banner that reads "Thanks and gratitude to Iran" in Gaza City November 27, 2012. Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar showed how fragile the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinians remained, with defiant remarks to reporters recently of how the Islamists would go on smuggling in weapons "by all possible means", including via Israel's arch-foe Iran. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot (GAZA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2013/01/iran-hamas-RTR3AXK0.jpg/iran-hamas-RTR3AXK0.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=upun9PKY)
Out of all the Arab Spring's impacts, the war in Syria is by far the most dramatic. The conflict has reshuffled regional ties, and Palestinian-Syrian relations are among the most affected. Palestinian-Iranian relations have also come under pressure.
Since the Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran has been the main supporter of the Palestinian cause, and in particular of its two largest Islamic factions: Hamas and Islamic Jihad. As part of the alliance, Syria was also a major supporter of the two groups and, until recently, played host to the leadership of both groups.