Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas admitted to Hamas officials during closed-door meetings that he has been lying to the United States, Palestinian Media Watch has reported, quoting a former Hamas spokesman.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas – Photo: Oren Nachshon

The PMW report said that former Hamas spokesman Ihab al-Rasin posted on his Facebook page that Abbas was lying when he told U.S. officials that the newly inducted Palestinian unity government, which comprises officials from Fatah and Hamas, recognizes Israel and is bound by international obligations and previous agreements signed by the PA.

“Abbas tells Hamas’ people that when he openly declares that the unity Palestinian government recognizes Israel; such words are meant to dupe the Americans and the Zionist occupation government,” Rasin wrote, according to the PMW report.

According to Rasin, Abbas told Hamas officials in private talks: “They allowed me to continue saying what I’ve said in the foreign and Arab presses concerning our recognition of Israel, because such words were geared toward American and Israeli ears, not for Hamas. Forget my declarations in the media, don’t hang onto them.”

Risan also wrote that the “problem with Abu Mazen [Abbas’] statements aren’t his prevarications, but those who hang onto his proclamations that the unity Palestinian government recognizes Israel.”

Speaking at the Herzliya Conference on Tuesday, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon questioned the Palestinian reconciliation and Palestinian intentions, saying it was likely that Hamas was working toward a takeover of the West Bank.

“The Palestinian reconciliation is misrepresented,” Ya’alon said. “If anything happens as a result of the reconciliation, it will be Hamas’ takeover of Judea and Samaria. This will move us toward a situation such as in Gaza. Concerning security, it will be intolerable.

“The Palestinian Authority, which is considered moderate, denies our right to a national home. If you don’t understand that, then you don’t understand why the conflict remains unresolved.”