In rare public criticism of Hamas, PA official says Palestinian cause requires 'responsible assessment' of managing conflict with Israel

The civil affairs minister of the Palestinian Authority, Hussein Al-Sheikh, recently told Reuters that the Hamas terror organization would need to reconsider its methods and policies after the current war with Israel.

“It is not acceptable for some to believe that their method and approach in managing the conflict with Israel was the ideal and the best,” the senior PA official stated in what appears to be the first official criticism of Hamas by an official in Ramallah.

Al-Sheikh, who is also the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee, indicated in his interview with Reuters that Hamas is not pursuing responsible policies that advance the interests of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank

“After all this [killing] and after everything that’s happening, isn’t it worth making a serious, honest and responsible assessment to protect our people and our Palestinian cause?” the PA minister said.

“Isn’t it worth discussing how to manage this conflict with the Israeli occupation?” he added.

Al-Sheikh emphasized that the Palestinian populations in Gaza and the West Bank should eventually be united under a single administration.

“There must be a single Palestinian government governing the Palestinian homeland,” Al-Sheikh said without elaborating on how to achieve this political goal.

The U.S. Biden administration recently stated it envisions a reformed PA government to eventually assume responsibility for the Gaza Strip.

“We do believe that the Palestinian Authority needs to be revamped and revitalized, needs to be updated in terms of its method of governance, its representation of Palestinian people,” U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated during a recent media briefing.

While the U.S. supports Israel's goal to dismantle Hamas, there is currently a disagreement between Washington and Jerusalem on the post-Hamas future of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently emphasized that neither Hamas nor Fatah, the party that runs the West Bank, would be allowed to rule the Gaza Strip as long as it threatens the Jewish state.

“Gaza will be neither Hamastan nor Fatahstan, Netanyahu vowed.

“After the great sacrifice of our civilians and our soldiers, I will not allow the entry into Gaza of those who educate for terrorism, support terrorism and finance terrorism,” he added.

An additional challenge is the soaring popularity of Hamas in the West Bank compared to its rival, Fatah and the Palestinian Authority. Support for Hamas has increased from 12% in September to 44% in December, according to a fresh poll. In addition, about 82% of the population reportedly support the Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, by Hamas.

Al-Sheikh, is a close confidante of the current PA President Mahmoud Abbas, and is considered a potential candidate to succeed the 88-year-old Abbas.

In addition, Al-Sheikh is considered a pragmatist who could potentially strike a future peace agreement with the Jewish state.

In August 2022, Al-Sheikh hosted ALL ISRAEL NEWS Editor-in- Chief Joel C. Rosenberg in Ramallah. The meeting was highly unusual, as very few Israeli nationals ever visit Ramallah and even fewer get invited by a high-ranking PA official.