In Moscow, Hamas sees opportunity to win international support
The recent Hamas delegation to Moscow and plans for more meetings between the two sides seem to be a message to Tel Aviv and Washington.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Russia’s Foreign Ministry invited Hamas’ political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh to visit Moscow, Al-Mayadeen TV reported May 6, citing anonymous sources.
A Hamas delegation visited Moscow on May 4, holding talks with Russian Foreign Ministry officials. On May 7, Al-Mayadeen quoted Hamas sources as saying that another delegation will head to Moscow in early June.
Mousa Abu Marzouk, the head of Hamas’ international relations office who led the movement’s delegation to Moscow, said in a May 6 tweet, “The visit is part of [efforts to] deepen consultations and bilateral coordination between us and Russian friends. We discussed the Israeli attacks in Jerusalem and their dangerous repercussions and violations in the West Bank and Gaza.”
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters following his meeting with the Hamas delegation that talks focused on the situation in the Palestinian territories and the latest developments at Al-Aqsa Mosque. He added that Moscow is ready to serve as a platform for meetings between Palestinians.
