The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbass, trying to somehow restore his power in the country, has long threatened Hamas with a popular referendum. Now its date has been announced - July 31. A corresponding decree should be issued on Saturday. One of the leaders of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, called on Palestinians to boycott the referendum on recognition of Israel. Hamas, whose members desperately oppose the referendum and declare that it is a “recipe for civil war,” is in absolute solidarity with al-Qaeda.