Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in a meeting with Spanish journalists. Photo: Trango.

Newly re-elected Hamas leader Khaled Meshal said in a speech yesterday that his terror organizaton has been hit hard financially by the Arab Spring.

Anonymous blogger Elder of Ziyon picked up on the story, writing “Meshal’s words were understood to mean that Iranian financial support for the group  has dried up after Hamas refused to support the Syrian regime and instead announced support for the Syrian people.”

Meshal used to be harbored by the Syrian regime before moving operations to Qatar and Cairo after clashes escalated in the country.

Elder of Ziyon added that Meshal also “called on Arab nations to send money, saying they shouldn’t do it as only aid but as a ‘partnership’ – presumably to aid Hamas’ efforts to destroy Israel.”

Elder of Ziyon noted that Meshal emphasized to Arabic media that any Palestinian unification agreement would not come at the expense of Hamas’ principles of never recognizing Israel and never giving up armed resistance.