Restoring unity
WHEN the two main Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, reached agreement to bury the hatchet on April 27, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded with a political ultimatum to the Palestinian Authority -- choose either peace with Israel or peace with Hamas -- and his finance minister used economic blackmail -- withholding the funds that the Jewish state collects from taxes and levies on the authority's behalf -- to undermine the reconciliation. As the attempt at intimidation failed and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas head Khaled Meshaal went ahead to "turn the black page of division" by signing the accord in Cairo on Wednesday, Netanyahu now seems intent on dissuading Washington, London and Paris from dealing with a Palestinian government of unity that includes Hamas. The fact that the United States and European Union have long categorised Hamas as a terrorist organisation may mean that they will need little persuasion to buy the line that the Cairo agreement was a "tremendous blow to peace and a great victory for terrorism".
This would be a great pity as well as a lost opportunity. To be sure, the inclusion of Hamas is not a sufficient condition for peace in the Middle East. But to suggest that no solution to the conflict is possible with its participation is neither sustainable nor desirable. In fact, as peace talks have been going nowhere, it is open to question whether continuing to isolate Hamas is a valid option. It may be Israel's policy. But unless they are more intent on unfailingly shoring up Israel's sense of impunity, it does not make sense for the West to refuse to talk to Hamas. What would be more meaningful would be to take a leaf out of Egypt's book, which has brokered the unity deal and is preparing to open the Rafah crossing, and consider a radical change of policy towards Israel.
As the infighting has weakened the Palestinian cause, it is certainly a relief that Fatah and Hamas have finally come to their senses and chosen to make up. With all the odds against them, the Palestinians can't afford to be at each other's throats. Unity is strength, and the more divided the Palestinians are, the better it is for Israel. No one can pretend that all will henceforth be well. Deep differences remain and there are major obstacles to overcome before the terms of the accord can be put into effect. The rapprochement may turn out to be as brittle as the one four years ago. But there is no question that the accord inked in Cairo is a huge step towards restoring Palestinian unity.
As the infighting has weakened the Palestinian cause, it is certainly a relief that Fatah and Hamas have finally come to their senses and chosen to make up. With all the odds against them, the Palestinians can't afford to be at each other's throats. Unity is strength, and the more divided the Palestinians are, the better it is for Israel. No one can pretend that all will henceforth be well. Deep differences remain and there are major obstacles to overcome before the terms of the accord can be put into effect. The rapprochement may turn out to be as brittle as the one four years ago. But there is no question that the accord inked in Cairo is a huge step towards restoring Palestinian unity.
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