Abbas heads to Gaza
Photo: AFP
Abbas wants Fatah, Hamas to join forces
Palestinian leader expected to press Fatah members to join Hamas-controlled government – but only after Israeli elections
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas is set to visit the Gaza Strip on Friday for the first time since the PA elections that saw Hamas score a stunning defeat over Fatah.
Abbas is back from Egypt, where he met with senior officials, including President Mubarak, in order to discuss developments in the PA following Hamas' election win.
During his Gaza trip, Abbas is expected to meet with representatives of various Palestinian factions, headed by Fatah, as well as with Hamas members. Abbas will in essence begin a round of consultations with faction leaders regarding the formation of a new government.
Following the elections, the Palestinian leader said he will task the majority with forming the government, but refrained from mentioning Hamas by name. Abbas associates said the party that forms the government must pledge to follow the PA's diplomatic plan and Abbas' own initiatives, which include recognition of Israel, renouncement of violence, and a pledge to honor agreements signed by the PA.
Abbas is expected to press senior Fatah leaders who oppose joining a Hamas-controlled government to change their stance on the matter.
In recent days, international officials, headed by Egypt, made it clear to Abbas his Fatah movement must take part in the government and cannot allow Hamas to take full control However, senior Fatah figures, including Muhammad Dahlan, Jibril Rajoub, and jailed Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti object to joining the government and reflect the position of a large Fatah majority.
However, Abbas is expected to ask senior Fatah figures to consider the possibility of entering into negotiations with Hamas regarding a common political and diplomatic plan that would enable a joint government to be formed.
Hamas debating
While in Gaza, Abbas will also consult members of the PLO regarding ways to boost Fatah's strength in terms of foreign relations and diplomacy, and particularly when it comes to negotiations with Israel, in order to weaken a Hamas-led government.
Ynet also learned that Abbas' associates are interested in continuing consultations regarding the formation of a new government until after the elections in Israel, to ensure the Israeli vote does not take place while a Hamas government is already in place in the PA.
Meanwhile, Hamas members made it clear they intend to form the next government and continue to consult other factions on the matter. The group is still considering a candidate for the post of prime minister and is looking into the possibility of a government made up of technocrats and headed by a professional associated with the group or a political figure from within Hamas.
The group is apparently debating between Mahmoud al-Zahar, who heads Hamas in Gaza, and Sheikh Ismail Haniyeh, who topped the party's election list and is considered more moderate.
