Islamic Jihad too

The Kremlin invites Hamas to a meeting in Moscow

The Russian government (pictured) invites Palestinian organizations such as Hamas and the Islamic Jihad to Moscow.

(Bild: AP)

The Kremlin is inviting Palestinian organizations such as Hamas and the extremist Islamic Jihad to a meeting in Moscow on 29 February. The country has traditionally maintained close relations with many Palestinian organizations. However, relations with Israel have deteriorated during the current war.

A total of twelve to 14 organizations are to take part in the conference until 1 or 2 March. Groups from Syria and Lebanon, the Islamist Hamas, the extremist Islamic Jihad and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) are among those expected to take part. "We assume that the PLO is and remains the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. It is recognized by the international community and by us," said Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov on Friday. 

We assume that the PLO is and remains the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. It is recognized by the international community and by us.

Michail Bogdanow, Russlands Vizeaußenminister

The PLO was founded in 1964 to represent the Palestinians and was recognized by the United Nations in 1974. It is an umbrella organization of several groups. Fatah, which is part of it, has been a bitter rival of Hamas in recent years. The latter drove its rival out of the Gaza Strip in 2007 in bloody power struggles, and reconciliation talks have been taking place for years.

"Continuing the contacts"
According to the Russian diplomat, this is the third such forum. The deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, Mussa Abu Marsuk, is to come to Moscow. "We are continuing our contacts with Hamas representatives and with our Israeli colleagues," Bogdanov said. Relations with Israel have been good and pragmatic in recent years, but have deteriorated during the current war.