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The news that Hamas and Fatah are going to meet for the Egyptian-mediated talks at the end of this month to discuss the timing of fresh Palestinian elections and other reforms is long overdue. The two main political factions have spent too much time arguing (or not talking) at the expense of their people. Due to their split, hundreds of Palestinians have been jailed - in Palestinian prisons - and many institutions suffered. People have lost their jobs and have been surviving on a very tiny income.
Meanwhile, Israel has taken this opportunity to intensify its siege of the Gaza Strip and carry out its expansionist policies in the West Bank. Also, the clashes between Palestinians and illegal colonists have been extremely violent and bloody.
These days the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories is so bad it is not a matter of if, but when Hamas and Fatah can patch up their relations and move forward, for the sake of their own survival. The alternative is more infighting and greater internal disunity. During the upcoming meeting, the main point of discussion will be when to conduct parliamentary and presidential elections. And seeing that President Mahmoud Abbas's term technically ends on January 8, 2009, it is imperative that both factions put all their cards on the table. They must decide on which direction to take. The meeting will also include discussion on how to reform the Palestinian Liberation Organisation to include all factions.
Both Hamas and Fatah have lost track of their national interest and this is simply unacceptable. They must sort out their differences and constructively combine their efforts in order to move forward. This is because as long as the rift continues, there will be no room for any substantial achievement as far as the peace process goes. Not to mention internal stability in the occupied territories.
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