Recently, many efforts were made by the Arab countries in order to reach reconciliation between both Fatah and Hamas. Since the Hamas coup in Gaza, the Palestinian authority in Ramallah considers Hamas Government in Gaza illegal.  Hamas currently considers the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas illegal because according to the Palestinian premier law his presidential period ended.

Both movements Fatah and Hamas have been attacking each other since the division that started about two years ago. Fatah claims that Hamas is trying to involve Iran and Syria in the Palestinian decision and destiny. Hamas from the other side claims that Fatah became a surrendering movement that works upon the Israeli and American demands.

            The competition between the two movements is not new since the Islamic movements tried many times to create an alternative for the Palestinian Liberation Organization. However, it seems that the division in the Palestinian political yard is not the only one that exists; on one side in the Arab world there are countries who are called moderate such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Arab Emirates and other countries. On the other side there are other countries considered reluctance or not in good relation with the moderate countries such as Qatar, Syria, Lebanon, and other countries. In the whole area of the Middle East a huger division can be seen; An American project which is supported by the Arab moderates, and an Iranian attempt to control more in the area that is supported by the other Arab countries.

            The situation in the Palestinian division is complicated because it is related to the division between the Arab countries, and also to the two competing projects in the area. However, recently the situation seems to be changing since President Obama and many others are more convinced of the importance of making a united Palestinian government which includes Hamas and Fatah in order to prevent the Iranian influence in the area and also assure that once negotiations take place, it will be held with a leadership that represents all the Palestinians. President Mahmoud Abbas stated today that he has a duty of uniting the Palestinian people again and therefore he is obliged to go and form a unity government with Hamas. Hamas intentions are still not clear but the situation in Gaza obliges it to accept the idea of a Unity Palestinian government. However, above all of this the disastrous situation which the Palestinians are living must inspire both leaderships to leave their arguments behind them and form a government that can really bring benefit to the people.

The advantages of forming a united Palestinian government are: first of all reuniting Gaza and the West Bank, Secondly leaving no excuse for  keeping the crossings of Gaza closed, Thirdly ending the Political chaos that the Palestinian street is witnessing today, and finally ending the foreign interference in the Palestinian case and returning the independent Palestinian decision into action.

Achieving this does not seem as easy as it is seen; both parties are supported currently by foreign powers. Only brave decisions to return to each other and the Palestinian people can make a change.

The basis of the crisis between Fatah and Hamas is because of the existence of two different parties in one government with two legislative powers that contradict with each other because of the difference in the agendas of each movement. Even after forming a united government, both sides must agree on making Palestinian elections in order to give another chance for the people to choose this time one political party to rule in both the presidency institution and the Palestinian cabinet.

            In regard to peace opportunities, it seems impossible to start real negotiations between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides because the right Israeli party Lekud seems to win the next Israeli elections; Netanyahu made it clear that he does not want any negotiations about the two states solution currently. This may result in another explosion in the situation between the two sides. To my mind the result of the Israeli elections will affect on the situation in the Palestinian community; If the right will win the Israeli elections, the moderate leadership in the Palestinian territories will have no work to do in the next four years. Beside that the result may affect mentally on the minds of the Palestinians and make them elect Hamas that this time will be holding all the institutions of the Palestinian Authorities. If the Israeli people will show an intention to choose someone who does not believe in the choice of negotiating about a two states solution, the Palestinians would be more convinced of choosing a similar leadership to represent them.

           This means that there is a possibility that both the Israelis and the Palestinians will be lead by two leaderships who won’t agree with each other in any situation. Therefore the International community and the effective factors in the Middle East will have to be cautious in order to prevent any other possible disaster from happening.

Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad

A Palestinian-Arab living in East Jerusalem, Ziad graduated from College Des Freres in Jerusalem in 2003. Ziad finished his major in International Relations and English Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ziad is a former President of the Watan student movement at the university. He is interested in Middle Eastern political issues and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Founder of the Middle East Post and MEL (Middle East Future Leadership Network), he represents Palestinian youth at several international conferences.

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