Haniyeh: Israel, US attempting to thwart unity
In speech delivered in Gaza, Palestinian prime minister says, 'Jerusalem is holier than any organizational affiliation,' calls on all factions to immediately halt internal conflicts. Meanwhile, agreement signed to end general strike launched by PA government workers
In a special speech delivered in Gaza, Haniyeh said that "unity is a religious duty and a national need. The Israeli-American policy in the region is aimed at thwarting it, leading the Palestinian to a civil war and immortalizing the occupation and the settlements."
Haniyeh, who is not as worried about external enemies as he is about internal enemies, called on the Palestinian organizations, headed by Hamas and Fatah, to bring all types of internal clashes to a complete end.
"We do not oppose pluralism and a large number of organizations, but we are worried about the internal tensions aimed at hurting us. The political dispute must not turn into exchanges of fire," he said.
According to Haniyeh, the crisis has crossed the border of the organizations and spread to the PA's large families.
"This must not happen. The mutual propaganda and incitement campaigns must be halted, and internal relations must be based on mutual trust. Jerusalem, the refugees and Palestine are holier than any interest and organizational affiliation," he said.
As far as Haniyeh is concerned, the establishment of a unity government should be at the top of the agenda, as many in the PA believe it will bring the international boycott to an end and resume the financial aid.
"We must put aside the internal conflicts and work for the joint Palestinian goal. We must defend our national unity and establish a unity government which will defend our principles and express the aspirations of the Palestinian people. Therefore, we must resume the dialogue for the establishment of the government."
The Palestinian prime minister promised that his Hamas-led government would exert every effort in order to remove the obstacles ahead of the establishment of a unity government.
"The government will exert every effort to break the siege and relieve the Palestinian people's suffering," he said.
Haniyeh also called on the Arab League to implement its decision to work to end the boycott.
Encouraging sign: PA strike ends
On the backdrop of Haniyeh's speech in Gaza, an agreement was signed Saturday afternoon in Ramallah between the Palestinian government and the president's office, according to which the civil servants will end the general strike they launched in September due to the failure to pay their wages.
The agreement was signed by Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Nasser al-Din Shaer and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' bureau chief Rafik al-Husseini.
PA officials hope that the agreement to end the strike, which was perceived by the government as part of the political pressure exerted on it, will also lead to a breakthrough in the talks for the establishment of a unity government ahead of a possible meeting this week between Abbas and Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal.
In spite of the hope, Fatah spokesman in the Gaza Strip Tawfik Abu Khoussa told Ynet that there was nothing new in Haniyeh's remarks. He added that there were still no real signs for a resumption of the dialogue.
"The reasons for the tension in the Strip, as well as the massive presence of Hamas' special force in Gaza's streets, have yet to be solved," he said.
All the talks for the establishment of a unity government have so far failed due to Hamas' insistence that the government does not explicitly recognize Israel. Another issue which led to the failure of the negotiations was the manning of the Interior, Finance and Foreign Ministry portfolios.
PA officials said they expected a positive development both on the diplomatic issue and on the portfolio issue in the Abbas-Mashaal meeting.
