Tamimi: Hamas turned down Blair’s offer for talks in UK

Tony Blair, the former Middle East peace process envoy of the Quartet, called the head of the Hamas Political Bureau Khaled Meshaal inviting him to visit the UK to continue talks about a final truce between the movement and Israel, Azzam Tamimi, the head of the Institute of Islamic Political Thought in London, revealed.

The visit never took place because Hamas wanted a more concrete idea about what was to be proposed and it doesn’t want the talks to be an extention of the Oslo process, or a revival of it, Tamimi told Al-Resalah newspaper.

Tamimi, who is believed to be a close ally of Meshaal, believes that Blair would not have invited Hamas to London had he not secured the approval of Prime Minister David Cameron. He pointed out that it would be in the movement’s interest to accept the invitation irrespective of the outcome of the discussions.

He explained that such a step would be very important for breaking the European siege imposed on the movement and would be a prelude to removing its name from the European Union’s list of terrorist organisations.

International envoys continuously make visits and hold discussions with the movement’s leaders in Gaza and outside, Tamimi explained. Adding that what is going on at the moment is nothing more than “exploration of and a search for the possibilities of resolving the current crisis in the Strip.”

He drew attention to the fact that no announcement has so far been made about reaching any initiative or agreement or negotiations formula regarding this truce project.

He stressed that a number of European parties have shown great interest in facilitating a truce agreement that may pave the way, even if gradually, for lifting the siege on the Strip. He explained that the most disturbed of all parties over these efforts is the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah because it considers itself the sole party authorised to conduct international negotiations relating to the Palestinian issue.

The PA president and his aides often express dismay and even object to the West’s efforts to reach an understanding with Hamas over regarding the truce in Gaza, Tamimi quoted European sources as saying.

He added that Blair’s efforts are coordinated with Israel and have the blessings of Cameron. Other European efforts, he explained, are merely attempts to gauge the movement’s responses and explore its positions regarding various issues.

Regarding Blair’s involvement in the truce initiative, Tamimi explained that he is driven by personal interests of both a political and economic nature. He added that Blair requested a meeting with Hamas leaders and the movement agreed because it doesn’t turn anyone away and ensure all doors remain open.

The US was aware of Blair’s actions, and he kept them informed throughout the discussions. Tamimi said sources had informed him that the US was happy with Blair’s decisions as long as he kept Israel up to date with developments.

The broad objective of Blair’s efforts is reaching a truce agreement that would lift the siege of Gaza and end the suffering of its people. He also hopes to convince the movement to issue a statement that somehow acknowledges, directly or indirectly, the importance of returning to negotiating.

However, Hamas refuses this as it had nothing to do with the previous peace process that was started in Oslo, however the movement would be willing to enter into talks to lift the siege on Gaza.

Regarding the PA’s relationship with Hamas, Tamimi pointed out that the PA is working to serve the occupation while Hamas is engaged in resistance. He expressed his belief that the truce would be the best option, which, once successful, could constitute a precedent upon which one can build in the future.

He explained that the success of the truce with Gaza may pave the way for something similar in the West Bank should Israel return to the idea of unilateral withdrawals, which Ariel Sharon adopted as a strategy when he was prime minister, and withdraw from territories in the West Bank.

Tamimi said the PA is unhappy about the effort being made to agree on truce because it feels threatened by Hamas’s accomplishments, in particular ones that would lead to the lifting of the siege.

Hamas doesn’t pay attention to the PA’s views on these matters and would seize the opportunity to come to a truce agreement as long as it would guarantee the lifting of the siege on Gaza, Tamimi explained. He warned that the PA would negatively impact negotiations on an international level because it is entirely dependent on Israel and would not want to incur its wrath.

Relations between Hamas and the PA cannot improve, Tamimi explained, until the PA ceases security coordination with Israel, especially with regards barring Hamas’s presence in the West Bank.

The PA will continue to exist as long as Israel feels it has no alternative, and at the moment there is no alternative, Tamimi said.

The improvement in relations between Hamas and Saudi Arabia may push the Gulf state to streamline its position with that of Qatar and Turkey, which would be useful, Tamimi explained.

Translated from Al-Resalah on 19 August 2015

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.