‘Sons of Dogs’: Palestinian Authority President Lambasts Hamas, Calls for Release of Israeli Hostages

Latest Developments

• Abbas Calls on Hamas to End War: Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas called on Hamas to disarm, release the remaining Israeli hostages, and relinquish control of the Gaza Strip in order to bring an end to the group’s ongoing war with Israel. Speaking on April 23 at a two-day meeting of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council in Ramallah, Abbas accused Hamas of giving Israel “excuses” to continue fighting in Gaza, “the most prominent” of which was the continuing captivity of Israeli hostages. “You sons of dogs, hand over what you have and get us out of this ordeal,” Abbas declared.
• Condemnation From Terrorist Groups: Abbas’s comments were immediately condemned by Hamas. Bassem Naim, a senior official with the Iran-backed terrorist organization who is based in Turkey, called the PA president’s comments “insulting,” accusing Abbas of “suspiciously” laying “the blame for the crimes of the occupation and its ongoing aggression on our people.” The Hamas-aligned Palestinian Mujahideen Movement separately issued a statement on Telegram stating that Abbas had disregarded “the sacrifices and struggle of our people,” calling on the Palestinian leader to apologize.
• Palestinian Authority Seeking to Appoint Vice President: A vote is reportedly expected during the PLO Central Council’s meeting on the creation of a new role: vice chairman of the PLO Executive Committee and simultaneously vice president of the State of Palestine. The individual appointed to the role would likely succeed Abbas as president. Since his election in 2005, Abbas has tightly held on to the role, refusing to name a successor and repeatedly postponing Palestinian elections.

FDD Expert Response

“As with many of the enduring challenges facing the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas’s recent condemnation of Hamas and his call for the release of all hostages come far too late and lack the authority necessary to effect meaningful change. While his statements elicited some response from Palestinian terrorist factions, rhetoric alone is inadequate if Abbas truly aspires to play a positive role for Palestinians in this war.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Abbas’s rise came amid international pressure to curb his predecessor Yasser Arafat’s power. Yet instead of learning the lesson about the dangers of autocratic rule, Abbas worked to ensure no leaders could challenge his authority. Now, the Palestinians are stuck with an unpopular, chain-smoking, octogenarian leader 20 years into a four-year term, no clear successor, and a society that is both reeling from Hamas’s latest suicidal war against Israel and hopelessly divided between Hamas and Fatah.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Neither Hamas Nor the Palestinian Authority’: Netanyahu Rejects Reports of Gaza Power Transfer,” FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Terrorists Released in Ceasefire Deal Leave Israeli Jails as Millionaires,” FDD Flash Brief

“10 Things to Know About the Palestinian Authority,” FDD Insight

“A Palestinian Authority that rewards terrorism has no place in Gaza,” by Natalie Ecanow