Palestinian Authority, Hamas divided on Iran
The Palestinian Authority participated in the annual conference of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, which the United States removed from its terrorism list in 2012, while Hamas leaders welcomed incoming Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
![Leader of the Palestinian Hamas movement Ismail Haniyeh (2nd R) shakes hands with Iranian Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri (L)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/2021-08/GettyImages-1234484618.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=2l95zZf_)
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Within just a few days, the Palestinian division became clearly evident. On July 11, Azzam al-Ahmad, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee and the PLO’s Executive Committee, participated in the annual general conference of the Iranian Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK) resistance group, during which he gave a speech via video conference stressing his support for the Iranian opposition and reiterating the strength of relations between the two sides.
Only a few weeks later, Hamas’ political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement Ziad al-Nakhla took part Aug. 5 in the inauguration ceremony of new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.