Hamas will support Syria as it confronts Israeli regime, senior leader says

        “We are not at the stage of political, military and security prosperity, in which we can make our own choices. We are the enemies of Israel, just like Palestinian people, Lebanon, the Lebanese resistance movement [Hezbollah], Iran and Syria,” Mahmoud al-Zahar told Lebanon-based and Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network late on Thursday. He added, “We must have good relations with the enemies of Israel. We stand with anyone who opposes Israel. We, therefore, support Syria in the face of the Israeli occupation, and any party that stands up against Israel.”     “What unites us is hostility toward Israel, and what separates us is cooperation with it,” Zahar stressed.Throughout their long struggle against the Tel Aviv regime, Palestinian political factions have found support in Syria, often maintaining headquarters on its territory. Syria would give Palestinian groups logistical assistance, training, and political backing to the level that no other Arab country would. After much internal deliberation, Hamas chose to leave Syria as the foreign-sponsored militancy broke out there in March 2011. Even though Hamas has maintained this position for more than nine years now, it feels growing pressure to change it. There are some members who already regret the movement’s decision to withdraw from Syria. Zahar’s remarks would, therefore, mean that Hamas and Damascus are willing to change course and restore relations. Elsewhere in his interview with al-Mayadeen, the senior Hamas official highlighted that his movement has responded to appeals for the unity of Palestinians.     “We must not repeat failed experiences that were at the expense of the Palestinian cause. We have responded to the demands and advice that Palestinian factions must be united as it strengthens the resistance (front) and eases strain on West Bank, Jerusalem al-Quds as well as besieged Gaza Strip,” Zahar pointed out. He stated that Hamas is ready to resume talks for healing the inter-Palestinian rift with the rival Fatah movement, saying, “There is no objection to the venue of the meeting. Our decision is fixed and known, and we do not pose obstacles to choosing the place.”