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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 5-May-2011
5-May-11 News -- Palestinians celebrate Fatah-Hamas reconciliation ceremony in Cairo

Web Log - May, 2011

5-May-11 News -- Palestinians celebrate Fatah-Hamas reconciliation ceremony in Cairo

Israeli prime minister expresses grave concern

Palestinians celebrate Fatah-Hamas reconciliation ceremony in Cairo

Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and refugee camps celebrated on Wednesday. In Gaza's Square of the Unknown Soldier, a demonstration turned into a raucous party of thousands cheering, chanting and waving flags, according to the Guardian.

Palestinians celebrate

Palestinians celebrate

The occasion was a ceremony in Cairo, attended by representatives from the U.N., the EU, and the Arab League, for the signing of a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas. The two factions have been bitter rivals since a 2007 war, when Hamas defeated Fatah for control of Gaza. Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), the governing body associated with Fatah, and Khaled Meshaal, leader of the Hamas, identified by the U.S. as a terrorist group, met for the first time in five years to sign the agreement.

The reconciliation agreement is an important step on the way to getting the United Nations General Assembly to unilaterally create a Palestinian state in September by international mandate. A reconciliation is an important prerequisite.

Abbas said that they had forever turned "the black page of divisions." Meshall spelled out Hamas's goal:

"Our aim is to establish a free and completely sovereign Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, whose capital is Jerusalem, without any settlers and without giving up a single inch of land and without giving up on the right of return [of Palestinian refugees]."

In fact, several years ago, the Middle East Quartet (United Nations, Russian Federation, United States, European Union) set three conditions for Hamas: recognize the state of Israel; renounce violence; and honor past Israeli-Palestinian agreements. Hamas has said that it will not agree to any of these conditions.

Furthermore, Hamas officials have been openly criticial of the U.S. military action that led to Osama bin Laden's death, according to the Jerusalem Post. On Monday, Hamas Gaza prime minister Ismail Haniyeh, said:

"We condemn the assassination and the killing of an Arab holy warrior. ... We regard this, as a continuation of the American policy based on oppression and the shedding of Muslim and Arab blood."

Benjamin Netanyahu in London with David Cameron

Benjamin Netanyahu in London with David Cameron

Thus, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was extremely critical of the agreement:

"What happened today in Cairo is a tremendous blow to peace and a great victory for terrorism. I think the fate of the Middle East and the fate of peace hangs in the balance."

Netanyahu made this statement while visiting British prime minister David Cameron. Cameron's office had issued a statement critical of Netanyahu that said:

"This is a time to pursue not ignore the Middle East peace process. That will be his main message to Mr Netanyahu today. We need to study the detail of the agreement but, as the prime minister was making clear in the House of Commons yesterday, we hope that Palestinian unity between Fatah and Hamas will be a step forward."

However, after the meeting, Cameron was more conciliatory:

"The leaders discussed today's announcement on Palestinian unity. Prime Minister Cameron said that any new Palestinian government must reject violence, recognise Israel's right to exist and engage in the peace process, and that Britain would judge it by its actions."

It's always interesting to watch politicians dance like this, waiting until they have a chance to conduct a public opinion poll, so they'll know what to believe.

On the one hand, it almost seems that a Palestinian state in September has become an unstoppable train. On the other hand, there are many serious issues standing in the way.

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 5-May-11 News -- Palestinians celebrate Fatah-Hamas reconciliation ceremony in Cairo thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (5-May-2011) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 5-May-2011 5-May-11 News -- Palestinians celebrate Fatah-Hamas reconciliation ceremony in Cairo

Palestinians celebrate Fatah-Hamas reconciliation ceremony in Cairo

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 5-May-2011
5-May-11 News -- Palestinians celebrate Fatah-Hamas reconciliation ceremony in Cairo