Islamic Jihad chief, Russian FM discuss US scheme, Palestinian unity

During a visit to Moscow, a delegation from the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad movement has exchanged views with Russian officials on issues such as unity among Palestinian factions and a pro-Israel proposal devised by Washington.

The Palestine al-Yawm (Palestine Today) website reported on Wednesday that Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah had held “positive” and “profound” talks with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on US President Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed “deal of the century” and the Palestinian national unity.

Islamic Jihad representatives voiced their firm opposition to the US scheme, saying it strives to “eliminate the Palestinian problem, as well as to give up al-Quds, the West Bank and the right of return of refugees,” the report said.

They also emphasized that “the Palestinian people will never give up their historical rights and national principles,” and that the path to restoring national unity lies in building a source of national authority under the 2017 Beirut agreement, it added.

According to a communiqué issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Nakhalah and Lavrov discussed the peace efforts and the situation in the West Bank and Gaza as well as the need to restore the Palestinian unity.

Islamic Jihad said its visit to Moscow comes at an official invitation by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

SS