Holding the Socialist International (SI) conference in Ramallah and Tel Aviv simultaneously, is part of a policy of normalisation between Palestinian Authority officials and Israeli leaders, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasem said Saturday. 

In a press release, Qasem stressed that this behaviour by PA officials would encourage some sides in the region to increase their normalising efforts and weaken the Palestinian struggle against the occupation.   

Qasem explained that holding the annual conference in this way contradicted with the PA’s decision to suspend all deals with the Israeli occupation.

The Hamas spokesperson added that this proved that the PA leadership was still counting on its relationship with the Israeli occupation despite the abject failure of this option and the occupation’s disregard to all signed agreements.