Abbas’ advisor to foreign media claims PA condemned massacre on Oct. 7, but says Israel is “the root of the problem”

Spanish W Radio host: “Does the PA condemn Hamas’ attack [on Israel] that took place on Oct. 7 [2023] (i.e., Hamas’ massacre)?”

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “Let’s say that Hamas actually made a mistake – does this mistake justify what Israel is doing? … We have condemned and condemn, and [PA] President [Mahmoud Abbas] condemned killing and targeting civilians, regardless of their religion or citizenship… We must take care of the root of the crisis, the root of the problem. The root of the problem is the existence of the occupation (i.e., Israel). When the occupation will end, there will be no more hostility, attacks, events, or blood, and peace will prevail between us and the Israelis.

[PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash, Facebook page, Dec. 12, 2023]  

Mahmoud Al-Habbash also serves as Supreme Shari’ah Judge and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice.

Al-Habbash made this statement on Spanish radio 2 months into Hamas’ war on Israel:

Hamas war on Israel October 2023