From the PA with love… to Russia
A man is known by the company he keeps… and while dozens of countries have boycotted or entirely cut ties with Russia over Putin’s war against Ukraine, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas chooses to “strengthen and develop” the Palestinian-Russian ties.
Thus, last week, Abbas welcomed Russian Envoy to the Middle East Peace Process Vladimir Safronkov in his headquarters in Ramallah. There, Abbas stressed the Palestinian-Russian friendship and “the importance of the Palestinian-Russian ties and Palestine’s diligence in strengthening and developing them”:
“Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday [May 9, 2023], at the [PA] presidential headquarters in Ramallah, [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas received Russian Envoy to the Middle East Peace Process Vladimir Safronkov.
During the meeting, they discussed the recent developments in the situation and the dangerous and ongoing Israeli escalation in all the Palestinian territories…
President [Abbas] emphasized the importance of the Palestinian-Russian ties and Palestine’s diligence in strengthening and developing them, because they are an interest of the two countries and the two friendly peoples.”
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 10, 2023]
In addition, senior PA official and PLO Executive Committee Secretary Hussein Al-Sheikh met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow the same week:
[Palestinian daily Al-Quds English edition, May 10, 2023]
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov was also present at the meeting and apart from discussing Palestinian affairs, ways to “further strengthen” the friendship were also on the table:
“The two sides exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the prospects for a Palestinian-Israeli settlement.
They also discussed issues related to efforts to restore Palestinian national unity in accordance with the political program of the PLO, and a number of bilateral issues to further strengthen Russian-Palestinian relations.”
[WAFA, official PA news agency, English edition, May 18, 2023]
Palestinian Media Watch has documented the PA’s preferences in terms of international alliances. Among the PA’s friends are Syria and President Bashar Assad, China (as opposed to Taiwan), North Korea and its leader Kim Jung-un, to name a few.
Al-Sheikh also serves as Head of the PLO Negotiations Affairs Department, Fatah Central Committee member, and Head of Civil Affairs in the PA.
The following are longer excerpts of the statements cited above:
Headline: “Hussein Al-Sheikh meets with the Russian Foreign Minister”
“A member of the Executive Committee of the Liberation and Centralization Organization of Fatah Hussein al-Sheikh movement arrived today, Wednesday, in the Russian capital, Moscow, to hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Sheikh will discuss with Lavrov the latest political and field developments, and the escalating Israeli measures against the Palestinian people.”[Palestinian daily Al-Quds English edition, May 10, 2023]
“Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Central Committee of Fatah, Hussein al-Sheikh, met yesterday in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his deputy Mikhail Bogdanov during which they discussed bilateral, regional and international issues.
The two sides exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the prospects for a Palestinian-Israeli settlement.
They also discussed issues related to efforts to restore Palestinian national unity in accordance with the political program of the PLO, and a number of bilateral issues to further strengthen Russian-Palestinian relations.
Lavrov stressed Russia's firm readiness to continue supporting the efforts of the Palestinian leadership to implement the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in establishing their independent state within the 1967 borders and to live in peace and security alongside Israel.
He also expressed his sincere condolences over the tragic death of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, and supported the demand of the PLO leadership to conduct a comprehensive and objective investigation into her murder.
The Russian Foreign Ministry had earlier conducted in-depth consultations between Hussein al-Sheikh and the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.”
[WAFA, official PA news agency, English edition, May 18, 2023]