Palestinian Olympic Committee President Jibril Rajoub, who also heads the Palestinian Football Association, holds a news conference to update the media about challenges facing Palestinian sports ahead of the Olympics in Paris, in Ramallah, in the West Bank, June 12, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Although many in the West tout the Palestinian Authority (PA) as being a “moderate alternative” to Hamas, the truth is that Hamas remains far more popular among Palestinians — and the PA knows it.

That is why, despite the criticism leveled by the PA at Hamas, the PA and Fatah frequently reiterate that they seek to bring Hamas under their umbrella. This is the context in which Palestinian leader Jibril Rajoub made yet another call to have Egypt arrange an “urgent” meeting with Hamas “to bridge gaps”:

Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub: “I call on Egypt and [Egyptian] President [Abdel Fattah] El-Sisi personally to hold an urgent meeting between Fatah and Hamas to bridge the political gaps, organizational gaps, and gaps related to the struggle [against Israel], in a manner consistent with the commitments of the world to grant us a state. A world in which a change has begun, and which now sees [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu as a criminal and a Nazi and us as victims.”

[Jibril Rajoub, Facebook page, Oct. 12, 2025]

This call was also echoed by another Fatah official:

Secretary of the Fatah Movement in Syria Omar Hamid: “For a long time there has been a call to end this division [between Fatah and Hamas] and unite the Palestinian position to know that we are going in the direction of one policy… and if it becomes necessary one day to have a military confrontation.”

[Official PA TV, Capital of Capitals – Damascus, Sept. 28, 2025]

Why was this so urgent for Rajoub and others in Fatah? Because the PA senses momentum — not against Hamas, but against Israel.

Rajoub sees rising international pressure on Israel and understands that Hamas continues to enjoy strong grassroots support in Palestinian society. Therefore, he must ensure that the PA not stand apart from Hamas, but that it lead the unified “struggle.” He knows that fighting Israel is what gives the PA political legitimacy. He wants unity because it is politically advantageous inside Palestinian society.

The PA is not preparing to replace Hamas. It is preparing to merge with Hamas — politically, organizationally, and confrontationally — precisely because Hamas remains popular among Palestinians and because the PA sees international opinion shifting against Israel.

Rajoub didn’t call for unity despite Hamas’ “struggle.” He called for unity because of it.

Ephraim D. Tepler is a researcher at Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), where a version of this article first appeared.