Palestinians Intelligence Chief: We Reject Iran’s Conspiracy against Arab Countries

Chief of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Intelligence Services Majed Faraj [Twitter]
Chief of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Intelligence Services Majed Faraj [Twitter]
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Palestinians Intelligence Chief: We Reject Iran’s Conspiracy against Arab Countries

Chief of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Intelligence Services Majed Faraj [Twitter]
Chief of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Intelligence Services Majed Faraj [Twitter]

Majed Faraj, head of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service (GIS), has slammed Hamas for dragging Palestinians into conflict and crises with Arab states to please Iranian agendas.

“Hamas is pulling us to a far place,” said Faraj in a rare media statement.

“Our memory is still alive. And Palestine is not just geography, Palestine is the people. People here and hundreds of millions abroad. I am not ready as a Palestinian to grow animosity with Arab countries,” added Faraj.

“I am against any Iranian influence in the Arab region, the Arab region is for the Arabs and will only be for the Arabs,” he asserted, adding that Palestinians support both Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Faraj stressed that his statements weren’t political and reflected a national security position.

He praised Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Jordan, and Bahrain for always backing Palestinians.

“I cheer for Arabs only. And none of us is ready to upset Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, or all of these countries.”

Faraj stressed that Palestine is with resolving any Arab-Arab dispute diplomatically and away from conspiracies.

“We do not accept the Arab capitals to be controlled by non-Arab countries, and I mean Iran openly,” he affirmed.

“This is an Arab land and will remain Arab,” he underlined, adding that his statements stem from an appreciation of countries that have historically stood with Palestinians and an appreciation of the looming dangers as well.

“We are with the unity of the Arabs and the position of the Arabs, and we are not a tool for any party,” added Faraj.

Faraj’s speech against Iran and Hamas came after controversial positions were made in the Hamas-ruled Gaza. Hamas officials and other Iranian-backed factions showed support for Iran and its arms in the region against Arab countries.



Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Mission

 A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
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Lebanon Condemns Attacks on UN Peacekeeping Mission

 A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun on November 20, 2024, as the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues. (AFP)

Lebanon on Monday condemned attacks on the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) stationed in its south, including last week's rocket strike in which four Italian soldiers were lightly injured.

The 10,000-strong multi-national UNIFIL mission is monitoring hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel, an area hit by fierce clashes between the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah party and Israeli forces.

Since Israel launched a ground campaign across the border against Hezbollah at the end of September, UNIFIL soldiers have suffered several attacks coming from both sides.

"Lebanon strongly condemns any attack on UNIFIL and calls on all sides to respect the safety, security of the troops and their premises," Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said during a conference in Rome.

Bou Habib spoke before attending a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Anagni, southeast of Rome, along with other colleagues from the Middle East, which was set to discuss conflicts in the region.

Bou Habib added: "Lebanon condemns recent attacks on the Italian contingent and deplores such unjustified hostilities."

Italy said Hezbollah was likely responsible for the attack carried out on Friday against its troops in UNIFIL.

Beirut's foreign minister called for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a previous war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 with a ceasefire that has faced challenges and violations over the years.

"Lebanon is ready to fulfil its obligations stipulated in the above-mentioned resolution," Bou Habib said.

"This literally means and I quote: 'There will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon'."

Hezbollah, militarily more powerful than Lebanon's regular army, says it is defending the country from Israeli aggression. It vows to keep fighting and says it will not lay down arms or allow Israel to achieve political gains on the back of the war.