BICOM

Media reports suggest that the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Iran are strengthening cooperation in a move which could impact both Israel and Hamas.

Since Hamas violently took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, Iran has clearly favoured Hamas over the PA, supporting the terror group with both arms and finances. However, Iran-Hamas relations have soured since Hamas refused to back Iran’s ally President Assad when violence erupted in Syria. Relations between Hamas and Iran have further strained this year after a high-level Hamas delegation visited Riyadh, the capital of Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia. A visit by Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal to Tehran was subsequently cancelled.

Reports this week indicate that Iran is moving ever closer towards the PA, which opposes Hamas rule in Gaza and was engaged in peace talks with Israel until they were frozen in April 2014. Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the PLO Executive Committee which is closely aligned to the PA, met this week with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif in Tehran. Majdalani is said to have delivered a letter from PA President Mahmoud Abbas for Iranian President Rouhani.

Majdalani told Palestinian radio that he had signed an agreement while in Tehran, to form a joint Iranian-Palestinian “high committee” to discuss political and economic cooperation. Reports also say that Majdalani made arrangements for President Abbas to visit Tehran within the coming two months.

In addition, Majdalani voiced support for the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany). He also indicated that the PA and Iran would work together towards an international conference which would call for Israel to relinquish its nuclear arsenal. Israel maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying its atomic capability.

Israeli leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the nuclear accord. PA collaboration with Tehran on the issue will likely damage the prospects of peace talks being revived.