By Haider Ali.
During the past weeks Fatah, the ostracised Hamas and an array of splinter groups that amalgamate into the key representatives of the Palestinian people struck an accord. After strenuous negotiations the two main factions managed to reconcile and bridge the gap between them to help unify all factions into one group. This has followed after key talks were held between the two and Islamic Jihad, who do not play as pivotal role as Fatah and Hamas in Palestinian politics, though have some leverage in certain matters.
The talks took place between the leaders of the three groups including Khaled Meshaal of Hamas, Ramadan Shallah the known head of Islamic Jihad and of course Palestinian President and leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation Mahmoud Abbas. Reports of the meeting certainly proved cordial and bore fruit with the triumvirate of leaders declaring a committee comprised of delegates and affiliates from each group would again congregate in Amman next month. Important discussions involving the Palestine National Council, pertinent elections and possible resumptions of negotiations with their Israeli counterparts are expected to be on the agenda.
The significance of these meetings let alone the agreements that have taken place cannot be underestimated. With the refusal of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to join the PLO, which has subsequently been dominated by Fatah since its inception, it is certainly becoming apparent that the divisions between the duo are beginning to mend following various public spats that have been mainly political in nature. The sticking point mainly pertained to the recognition of Israel’s right to exist, something Fatah has adhered to but Hamas and Islamic Jihad were reluctant to do. Interspersed with the explosive element of Hamas’ bloody coup or preventive Putsch (Depending on your own perspective) in Gaza in 2007 after their electoral gains in 2006, many Palestinians will be full of glee at the prospect of a unified government.
Palestinians are demanding their politicians to act now, especially within the confines of the Arab Spring. With the fires still stoking, the Palestinian people too want to strike with the iron that is causing a raging inferno across North Africa and the Middle East. Far too long have Palestinian leaders on both sides of the political spectrum been accused of nepotism and cronyism. Mahmoud Abbas has been accused of dancing to the strings of the Americans, whilst Meshaal has likewise been guilty of taking orders from its biggest benefactors in Tehran. Both sides have been coerced to a slight degree into acting and of course this is only considered as being beneficiary for peace, despite what those on the other side of political aisle in Israel are likely to think.
For instance in spite of many relishing the notion of a unified Palestinian entity, there are some who will not be so buoyed by the thought. For years Israel has exploited and taken advantage of the division within the political domain of Palestine. Constantly voicing the sentiments of lacking a partner for peace, Israel has stifled the peace process and has done so with marvellous efficacy. But talk of reconciliation has not been welcomed in Tel Aviv, who as a result has expanded further the existing settlements in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem upon the news of hearing about this new peace initiative. Another imperative reason behind the speeding up of settlement is expansion in Palestine’s recent acceptance into UNESCO. The motives behindIsrael’s actions are clearly intended to help stymie the peace process..
Mark Regev of Israel has stated “Hamas is not a political movement that resorts to terrorism but a group whose whole vocation is terrorism.” The closer President Abbas moves to Hamas, the further he moves away from peace,” he said. “This is a movement that is terrorist to the core.” The current spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not shy in his present assessment of the duo merging and believes it is of course a step backwards. Somewhat ironic bearing in mind they refused to negotiate with Fatah, citing they didn’t acknowledge their right to exist, which Fatah now does. It appears Hamas is now the stumbling block, though any old excuse will seem to suffice.
It is vital however to recognise that Hamas are a shrewd organisation. Should the talks go by the wayside, their core constituent base in Gaza will remain and can at least state they mounted an effort for negotiations to commence. Should they succeed however and prove that they can represent a united front, their support base stands to grow and this can only be to the detriment of Israel who at some point may have to negotiate with Hamas; a cauldron they do not want to be left to stew in. So they should encourage the move, come back to the negotiating table and extend the memorandum on the settlements as a form of goodwill, but one is reluctant to believe it will happen for obvious reasons.
