GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas, at all levels, did not hide its joy regarding the victory of the Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in last weekend’s municipal elections. Hamas leaders made a slew of congratulatory calls and sent cables to the Turkish party’s leadership, reflecting the close relationship that binds the movement with the Turkish ruling party.
Thousands of Hamas members in the Jabaliya refugee camp, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, took part in a mass rally on the evening of March 31, called for by the movement to celebrate Erdogan’s election victory. Some rally participants handed out sweets to express their joy, as did some members of Hamas’ Palestinian police in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
