Abbas’ advisor: “Abbas [has not said] one word against Hamas… Hamas is part of the Palestinian people”
Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “Since the start of the [Israeli] aggression (i.e., Israeli counter-terror operation against Hamas), has anyone heard from us? From the [PA] leadership, from [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas to the last of the people in the Palestinian leadership – has anyone heard from us one word against the Hamas Movement or against any Palestinian?”
Interviewer: “No, that’s correct.”
Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “Not under any circumstances. Even though we have many disagreements, my current mission is… to defend my people, to defend my Palestinian people. Hamas is part of the Palestinian people.”
[PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash, Facebook page, Nov. 6, 2023]
Mahmoud Al-Habbash also serves as Supreme Shari’ah Judge and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice.