|
On Sunday, Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas signed a declaration that both accept a Yemeni initiative calling for the creation of a national unity government and the rebuilding of security forces loyal to that government instead of factions.
Yesterday, Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, said its representative "only signed the document because of a mix-up". The movement, which was kicked out of Gaza last summer when Hamas took complete control of the strip, seems to have second thoughts about the deal, aimed to end the intra- Palestinian fighting. It also aims to form one government instead of the two rival administrations, one in Gaza and the other in the West Bank.
The agreement, which is the result of tireless efforts by Yemen and other mediators, signalled the willingness of both groups to end the division.
However, hawks in Fatah don't seem to like that. They believe a deal with Hamas could spell the end of peace negotiations with Israel, sponsored by the United States. The decision of the group to distance itself from the agreement during US Vice President Dick Cheney's visit perhaps conveys some kind of pressure by the US and Israel on Fatah to call off the talk with Hamas. If that is the case, then it is a tragic mistake. The ball now is Abbas' court.
|
