The Palestinian National Liberation Movement "Fatah" stated that "those responsible for the reoccupation of Gaza by Israel, and for the catastrophe (Nakba) that the Palestinian people are living through, especially in Gaza, have no right to dictate national priorities," in response to criticisms from "Hamas" regarding the appointment of Muhammad Mustafa, a close associate of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, as the new Prime Minister.
Hamas criticized on Friday what it described as the "individual decision" made by Abbas to appoint one of his allies as Prime Minister, tasking him with assisting in the reform of the Palestinian Authority and the reconstruction of Gaza. The appointment of prominent businessman Muhammad Mustafa comes amid increasing pressure to reform the Palestinian Authority, which administers the occupied Palestinian territories, and improve governance in the West Bank where it is headquartered.
Hamas stated that Abbas made the decision without consulting it, despite Hamas recently participating in a meeting in Moscow alongside Fatah, led by Abbas, aimed at ending the long-standing divisions that weaken Palestinian political aspirations.
Hamas, in a statement reported by Reuters, said: "In light of the Palestinian Authority's insistence on continuing its policy of exclusivity, and disregarding all national efforts to unite the Palestinian people and stand together against the aggression on our people; we express our rejection of the continuation of this approach which has harmed and continues to harm our people and our national cause."
Hamas added, "The making of individual decisions, and engaging in formal steps devoid of content, such as forming a new government without national consensus; are an enhancement of exclusivity and a deepening of division, at a critical historical moment when our people and our national cause need consensus and unity more than ever, and the formation of a united national leadership to prepare for free democratic elections with the participation of all segments of the Palestinian people."
In its response to Hamas, Fatah emphasized that "the real separation from reality and from the Palestinian people is the leadership of Hamas, which has not yet realized the magnitude of the disaster faced by our oppressed people in Gaza and other Palestinian territories," according to a statement conveyed by the Palestinian news agency "Wafa". Fatah expressed its "surprise and discontent" at Hamas's comments regarding exclusivity and division.
Fatah questioned in its statement, "Did Hamas consult the Palestinian leadership or any Palestinian national party when it made the decision to undertake the October 7 adventure, which led to a catastrophe more grave and severe than that of 1948? Did Hamas consult the Palestinian leadership while negotiating with Israel and offering it concessions merely to secure guarantees for its leadership's personal safety, and attempting to negotiate again with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu to maintain its divisive role in Gaza and within the Palestinian arena? Did Hamas consult anyone when it staged its black coup against the Palestinian national legitimacy in 2007, rejecting all initiatives to end the division?"
Fatah noted that "it is the right" of Abbas, "under the basic law, to do everything in the interest of the Palestinian people," asserting that the president's assignment of Dr. Muhammad Mustafa falls within his political and legal responsibilities, and that the priorities set in the letter of assignment are the priorities of the Palestinian people.
Fatah confirmed that "any rational person not detached from his people and from the horrific tragedy lived by our people, who are suffering greatly in Gaza, understands this,” adding that the current priority for all Palestinians is to stop the war immediately, prevent displacement, assist our afflicted people, reconstruct Gaza, end the division, and reunite the Palestinian homeland—unlike what Hamas indicates in its statement today that these are not its priorities.
Fatah emphasized that the designated Prime Minister, Mustafa, "is armed with the national agenda, not with false agendas that have brought nothing but calamities to the Palestinian people and have not achieved a single accomplishment." Fatah asked, "Does Hamas want us to appoint a Prime Minister from Iran, or for Tehran to appoint one for us?"
Fatah criticized the actions and practices of Hamas's leadership, stating: "It seems that the prosperous life this leadership enjoys in seven-star hotels has blinded them from seeing the truth," adding, "Why do most Hamas leaders live abroad, and why did they flee with their families, leaving the Palestinian people to face brutal genocide without any protection?"
Fatah called on the leadership of Hamas to stop what it described as "its policy tied to external agendas, and return to the national ranks to stop the war and save our people and our cause from liquidation, and to aid our people and reconstruct Gaza, leading to a complete withdrawal from the land of the State of Palestine with its capital in Jerusalem."
On Thursday, the Palestinian President appointed his close economic advisor, Mustafa, as the new Prime Minister in an effort to strengthen his leadership and restore credibility.
