Khalid Mash’al, the Damascus-based head of Hamas, is urging Moscow to help lift the economic siege on the Palestinians.
Mash’al is in the Russian capital in an attempt to muster support for the new Palestinian government. The exact structure and agenda of the government has not been detailed. Both Fatah and Hamas will be represented in the cabinet.
Most international aid to the Palestinian government ended after Hamas won the legislative elections last year. After months of inner fighting between Hamas and Fatah, the rival factions reached an agreement in Mecca earlier this month outlining the formation of a unity government.
“Our goal is to encourage the international community to begin cooperation with the Palestinian government and to pressure Israel to recognize the right of a Palestinian state to exist,” Mash’al said, according to Russian news sources.
Russia is a member of the Quartet, including the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, which are trying to mobilize the peace process in the Middle East.
The Quartet is demanding the new Palestinian government recognizes Israel, renounces terrorism and acknowledges previously signed agreements with Israel.
So far, Hamas has refused to comply with these demands, resulting in international isolation and an economic crisis.
It is uncertain whether Mash’al will be meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit, which ends on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas of Fatah is on a week-long tour of Europe to discuss the Mecca Agreement and help lift the economic blockade.