Hamas, a Middle East group recognized as a terror entity in 1997, has posted a statement online congratulating the Taliban, whose Pakistani branch was recognized as terror in 2010, for “defeating” the American “occupation.’

A report from the Palestinian Media Watch captured the words of praise.

Hamas posted online its statement, headline, “Hamas congratulates the Afghani people for defeating the American occupation in its land.”

The statement said, “The Islamic Resistance Movement ‘Hamas’ congratulated the Muslim Afghani people for defeating the American occupation in all the Afghani territories (refers to Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in Aug 2021 -Ed.). In a press release on Monday [Aug. 16, 2021], Hamas congratulated the Taliban Movement and its brave commanders for the victory, which constitutes the climax of its long jihad over the last 20 years.”

The statement went on: “Hamas wished the Muslim Afghan people and its leadership success in all that will give Afghanistan and its people unity, stability, and prosperity, and emphasized that the end of the occupation of the Americans and their allies proves that the resistances of the peoples, and foremost among them our fighting Palestinian people, are promised victory and the achievement of its goals – freedom and return, Allah willing.”

PMW reported that in the last general elections held in the Palestinian Authority, in 2006, Hamas won 74 of the 132 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council, which is the PA parliament.

That meant it won outright majorities in both Gaza and the West Bank.

In the run-up to the most recently called elections that were due to be held in May, it was clear that Hamas would again win a majority in the PA parliament. For that reason, PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas cancelled the elections.

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