“Hamas is not a terror movement,” PLO official cites PA Chairman Abbas’ defense of Hamas

Al-Jazeera TV interviewer: “A poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) showed Palestinian support for the resistance and a regression in the popularity of the PA, and [PA] President [Mahmoud] Abbas in particular. How do you view this, considering the fact that you have stated that Hamas is not a role model?” …

PLO Executive Committee Secretary Hussein Al-Sheikh: “I didn’t say that Hamas is not a role model…

When the world spoke and demanded that Hamas be defined as a terror movement – who set out against the world? Was it not Mahmoud Abbas, who stood at the UN podium and said: ‘No, Hamas is not a terror movement’? The real terror is the occupation (i.e., Israel). The real terror is the settlement enterprise.”

[Former Head of Fatah Commission of Information and Culture’s Information Office Munir Al-Jaghoub, X (Twitter) account, Dec. 19, 2023]

Hussein Al-Sheikh also serves as Head of the PLO Negotiations Affairs Department, Fatah Central Committee member, and Head of Civil Affairs in the PA.

Hamas war on Israel October 2023