ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Amid a diplomatic row between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian Authority’s ambassador in Riyadh has accused Tehran of giving up on his people’s cause.
“They have not built any schools for Palestinian children nor have they provided medical services for Palestinians," Bassem al-Agah complained about Iran.
Aside from what he called "political executions" al-Agah claimed Iran has contributed nothing to the Palestinian cause.
And on top of that they have issued religious decrees (fatwas) against the "legitimate Palestinian government," he said in comments to the Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat daily, which is based in London.
The remarks come amid increased tensions between Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, the two heavyweights of the Muslim world, which have been at odds for decades.
Their strained ties worsened last week, after Riyadh on Saturday executed a prominent Shiite cleric who had allegedly led protests in the kingdom. The day after, angry protesters firebombed two Saudi missions in Iran, leading to Riyadh severing ties with its old foe.
Iran’s Islamic Republic has for years positioned itself as the leading advocate of the Palestinian cause. For decades, it has funneled money and weapons to the more radical Palestinian Hamas group in the Gaza Strip, while Riyadh has backed the mainstream Palestinian Authority.
However, Hamas' support of the largely Sunni revolt against the rule of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad – whom Iran backs – saw a souring of relations between Tehran and Hamas.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia has made overtures to Hamas.
“They have not built any schools for Palestinian children nor have they provided medical services for Palestinians," Bassem al-Agah complained about Iran.
Aside from what he called "political executions" al-Agah claimed Iran has contributed nothing to the Palestinian cause.
And on top of that they have issued religious decrees (fatwas) against the "legitimate Palestinian government," he said in comments to the Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat daily, which is based in London.
The remarks come amid increased tensions between Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, the two heavyweights of the Muslim world, which have been at odds for decades.
Their strained ties worsened last week, after Riyadh on Saturday executed a prominent Shiite cleric who had allegedly led protests in the kingdom. The day after, angry protesters firebombed two Saudi missions in Iran, leading to Riyadh severing ties with its old foe.
Iran’s Islamic Republic has for years positioned itself as the leading advocate of the Palestinian cause. For decades, it has funneled money and weapons to the more radical Palestinian Hamas group in the Gaza Strip, while Riyadh has backed the mainstream Palestinian Authority.
However, Hamas' support of the largely Sunni revolt against the rule of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad – whom Iran backs – saw a souring of relations between Tehran and Hamas.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia has made overtures to Hamas.
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