Hamas seeks to reclaim political influence via PLO

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas eagerly awaits joining the institutions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which are controlled by its political rival Fatah, pursuant to the provisions of the reconciliation agreement signed between them in Gaza City at the end of April. Hamas intends to effectively participate in representing the Palestinian people before the regional and international community, as the PLO is considered to be their legitimate representative.

Hamas surrendered governance of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian unity government formed by President Mahmoud Abbas, once its political and financial prospects as well as its ability to rule the Gaza Strip dwindled. Yet, its current handing over of the reins is conditional on its participation in the PLO, the largest Palestinian organization at home and abroad.

Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy chairman of Hamas’ political bureau, affirmed during a conference, titled “Half a Century Since the Formation of the PLO,” organized by the Palestinian History and Documentation Center in Gaza that Hamas’ entry into the PLO aimed to address the contentious political issues upon which Palestinians disagreed. He indicated that Hamas recognized the PLO to be the legitimate representative of the people during the Cairo talks of 2005.

Hamas continues to await the convening of the Provisional Leadership Framework of the PLO, which was established pursuant to the Cairo Agreement, but has met only three times since. Hamas contends that, according to the latest reconciliation deal, Abbas was supposed to call for the fourth meeting to be held four weeks after the reconciliation agreement was signed; a call that has yet to occur. Abu Marzouk added that Hamas erred when it recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.