Key PA official urges ties with Iran

Monday, August 3, 2009

RAMALLAH — For the first time, a senior Palestinian Authority official has called for a strategic alliance between the ruling Fatah movement and Iran.

PA Minister for Jerusalem Affairs Hatem Abdul Khader, also regarded as a leading figure in Fatah's young guard, said the Palestinians required help from Iran against Israel.

"The challenges that face the Palestinian people, in terms of unprecedented attacks and dangers in Jerusalem, oblige the Fatah movement to formulate its regional strategic alliances based on new principles and criteria," Abdul Khader said.

In a statement released on Aug. 2, Abdul Khader stressed that his call for an Iranian alliance concerned Fatah rather than the Western-financed PA.

The statement was issued on the eve of the movement's first general conference in 20 years and expected to result in elections for the Fatah leadership.

Palestinian sources said Abdul Khader's statement marked a trend within Fatah and the PA for an alliance with Iran and its allies. They said the PA has quietly renewed a dialogue with the Teheran regime that included relations with the rival Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

In mid-July, PA minister and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat met Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in the first such public session between the two sides since at least 2004. Officials said additional meetings would be held between representatives of the PA and Iran.

In his statement, Abdul Khader, who announced his resignation from the PA Cabinet in July, urged Fatah to endorse an alliance with Iran. He said Teheran, despite relations with Hamas, continues to regard Fatah as the leader of the Palestinian people.

Officials said Abdul Khader's call was meant to bolster the prospects of a successful Fatah general conference, expected to be attended by 2,260 delegates. They said the PA was urging Iran to press Hamas to release up to 450 delegates to attend the Fatah conference, scheduled to begin on Aug. 4 in Bethlehem. Abdul Khader was expected to run for a seat on the 120-member Fatah Revolutionary Council.

For its part, Hamas has demanded the release of up to 1,000 detainees in PA prisons in the West Bank. Officials said the PA was considering the release of 200 Hamas prisoners.