President Donald Trump meets with Bishara Bahbah, an Arab American who cofounded the Arab Americans for Trump group. (X)
Bishara Bahbah, the Arab American businessman who co-founded a pro-Trump Arab political action committee and was tapped to serve as de facto envoy to Hamas, accuses the terror group of “foot-dragging” in talks.
By World Israel News Staff
The Trump administration’s unofficial envoy to the Hamas terror organization publicly condemned the organization, blaming Hamas for the failure thus far to reach a breakthrough in hostage deal and ceasefire talks with Israel.
Bishara Bahbah, the Jerusalem-born businessman who co-founded a political action committee to rally Arab American support for Donald Trump in 2024, issued a public statement in Arabic via X on Wednesday, blaming Hamas’ “foot-dragging” for the failure to reach a ceasefire with Israel and the continuation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
“For several days now, the mediators have been waiting for Hamas’s response,” Bahbah tweeted.
Bahbah accused Hamas negotiators of intentionally slow-walking ceasefire talks with Israel by focusing on “non-essential” details of a final peace deal, rather than agreeing to a 60-day ceasefire now, during which a broader truce agreement can be hammered out.
“The foot-dragging is costing the lives of dozens of members of the Palestinian people every single day. There is no compelling reason for delaying the response (by Hamas) or for requesting non-essential changes, since there are 60 days of negotiations, without casualties or bloodshed, during which all the details will be discussed.”
“Enough with the delays and continued bloodshed — let us move forward with a deal that will allow everyone to negotiate under American guarantees in order to reach a permanent ceasefire.”
A long-time pro-Palestinian activist, Bahbah previously served as an adviser to Palestine Liberation Organization chairman Yasser Arafat during peace talks with Israel in the 1990s.
Following President Donald Trump’s election last November, Bahbah has acted as an unofficial go-between for the White House and Hamas, conveying messages between the two regarding ceasefire negotiations and the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.
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