Hamas slams perceived ‘threats’ by Palestine president

By Momen Ghorab

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Gaza-based resistance group Hamas on Friday blamed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for stymying efforts to achieve inter-Palestinian reconciliation.

In a statement, group spokesman Fawzi Barhoum criticized “threats” against Hamas that Abbas reportedly made at a Thursday meeting with Arab diplomats in Washington.

“Threats [by Abbas] should be leveled at Palestine’s enemies, not its defenders,” Barhoum said.

Hamas, he added, was ready to participate in Palestinian elections, as long as they were conducted freely and transparently.

At a Thursday meeting in Washington with Arab ambassadors, Abbas reportedly threatened to take “unprecedented” measures aimed at forcing Hamas -- which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007 -- to hand over governance of the strip to Palestine’s Ramallah-based “unity” government.

Hamas and Abbas’ Fatah movement, the latter of which leads the unity government, have remained at odds since 2007 when Hamas wrested control of the coastal territory from Fatah.