GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) delegation visited Russia recently in the hope that Moscow can get Israel to end its siege on the Gaza Strip.
The delegation met Aug. 7 with Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. The meeting, which PIJ members described as a success, focused on the need for an all-inclusive agreement among Palestinians as soon as possible. It also centered on the need to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the escalating situation in Gaza, and to end projects designed to liquidate the Palestinian cause. The PIJ believes the latter includes US President Donald Trump's so-called deal of the century. In an Aug. 7 statement, the PIJ said Bogdanov emphasized that “Russia stands at the side of the Palestinian people and endorses their legitimate rights.” The statement also said Russia is keen to help with Palestinian internal affairs and acknowledges "the importance of building a unified Palestinian National Council, as a preamble to rebuilding the PLO.”
