Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas attends the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Palestinian Authority (PA) leader Mahmoud Abbas once again showed his true colors — and his support for terrorism — when he flew to Qatar to meet with two sons of dead Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

At the meeting, Abbas conveyed his condolences, and praised their terrorist father for his “virtues on the path of the Palestinian national struggle”:

Official PA TV newsreader: “At his place of stay in the Qatari capital, Doha, [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas received two sons of late Hamas Movement Political Bureau Chairman national leader Martyr Ismail Haniyeh, and they are Abd Al-Salam and Humam Haniyeh.

His Honor [Abbas] conveyed his condolences to the two children of the national leader Martyr and recalled his virtues on the path of the Palestinian national struggle.” [emphasis added]

[Official PA TV News, Oct. 2, 2024]

Abbas showing his support for Hamas leaders is expected.

Hamas’ popularity is unchallenged among Palestinians, and therefore, any political leadership role that Abbas aspires to will need the support of Hamas.

Throughout the current Gaza war (and prior to it) the PA has wooed Hamas and has repeatedly called for unity.

In July, the two factions even signed a declaration of unity. One of Abbas’ own advisors has been at the forefront of this unity effort.

Mahmoud Al-Habbash has stressed that terror organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad are “integral parts of the Palestinian people,” and stated that Hamas is “part of the people” and “in every Palestinian home”:

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “We have said clearly and explicitly: Hamas is an integral part of the Palestinian national fabric, and we will not be able to agree to its exclusion…”

Nas Radio host: “There were leaks … that there is a proposal for prisoner exchanges in return for stopping the war and removing Hamas leaders from the Gaza Strip. What is your position?”

Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “We cannot agree to any Palestinian being forced to leave his homeland … Palestine is the homeland of all the Palestinians. It is the homeland of the members of Hamas, Fatah, [Islamic] Jihad, the left-wing, and the right-wing.” [emphasis added]

[Facebook page, Jan. 10, 2024]

Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “Hamas is part of the Palestinian people. It is part of the national and social fabric and exists in all the Palestinian territories and in all parts of the Palestinian people. The empty claim that Israel wants to eliminate Hamas is just an excuse Israel is using to extend the war. In reality this is not something possible, because Hamas is in every Palestinian home.”

[Facebook page, Aug. 8, 2024]

That “every Palestinian home” supports Hamas is supported by polls, as Palestinian Media Watch has reported. The polls show that 98% of Palestinians felt “pride” over Hamas’ atrocities on Oct. 7, 2023. As stated, this popular support for Hamas’ terrorism against Israel is the main reason why Abbas and Fatah need to unite with their political rivals.

The author is a senior analyst at Palestinian Media Watch, where a version of this article was originally published.