CAIRO: Egypt invited Palestinian political parties Hamas and Fatah to sign a document of understanding that would eventually lead to a unity government in next parliamentary elections. Delegations from Fatah and Hamas will hold meetings in Cairo on Tuesday and Wednesday, whilst the factions' leaders will meet at the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo's now world famous Tahrir Square on Thursday. The building stands beside the former headquarters of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's former ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), still blackened by the flames that burned it down during the 18 days of protests leading to the president's removal. Reconciliation comes after five years of stark opposition, following a brief conflict between the parties that brought the collapse of a government of national unity in 2006 and to Hamas' control of the Gaza Strip. Following the deal's announcement and after mounting tensions in Syria, Hamas' leader in exile Khaled Meshaal ordered the transfer of Hamas' headquarters from Damascus to Qatar. Reactions Speaking after last Friday prayers, Hamas' leader in Gaza Ismail Haniyah called on Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas not to let external opposition affect their deal. “Any Palestinian-Palestinian agreement will certainly face challenges and obstacles. But with will, determination and sincere intention, we can overcome these obstacles, especially the Israeli and American obstacle,” he said. Haniyah also called the PA to withdraw its recognition of Israel, and abide to Hamas' official stand. Despite several declarations and denial, Hamas has never officially recognized the state of Israel. But PA President Abbas said the interim government would not dictate PA's policies, and negotiations with Israel would remain part of the PLO's mandate. Nonetheless, Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Thursday that Fatah and Hamas crossed “a red line,” warning that following their unity deal, any measure could be taken against them. This declaration came after veteran settlement leaders Daniella Weiss and Rabbi Dov Lior reacted to the Palestinian unity deal by announcing the construction of a new settlement near Itamar. Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina declared that Netanyahu must now “choose between peace and settlements,” reported Palestinian News Agency Maan. Netanyahu met on Thursday with prominent Israeli ministers and declared Israel will refuse any negotiations with Hamas, and therefore also with a Palestinian unity government. The deal, however, was welcomed by the Secretary-General of the diplomatic corps of the European Union Pierre Vimont. “What we are expecting is a clear reaffirmation of what we think are the milestones for the peace process,” declared Vimont, including the recognition of the State of Israel and the renunciation of violence. Egypt's shifting (foreign) policy Negotiations between the Palestinian factions began in early March, as delegations held preliminary meetings in Cairo, Gaza and Damascus. Egyptian authorities met on Friday on the historical decision to reopen the Rafah border with Gaza. Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil el-Arabi told Al Jazeera that “important steps to help ease the blockade on Gaza in the few days to come,” adding that Egypt would no longer endorse this “shameful” siege. Following the 1979 Peace treaty with Israel under late president Anwar Sadat, Israel was given the green light for the construction of a military barrier along the so-called Philadelphi route, an international strip of land separating the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Tunnels running under the Philadelphi route bypass Israel's barrier and allow the smuggling of weapons as well as the trade of basic goods forbidden by Israel's border controls, the Israeli government says. Many Palestinians who escaped from Egyptian prisons during the recent uprising that brought former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's ouster on February 11 rejoined their families crossing the border through the tunnels. On May 31, 2010, a solidarity boat known as the “Freedom Flotilla” tried to break Gaza's siege in order to deliver basic goods to the Palestinian people and avoid crossing overland borders. The opening of the border might allow the regular flow of people and goods between the Gaza Strip and the rest of the world in the near future. Egypt's participation to the negotiations comes as part of a renewed foreign strategy aimed at acquiring international support for the new Interim government, starting from within the Arab World. Ahead of Egypt's next presidential elections, Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa is regarded as a possible candidate to presidential election. A recent poll published by the U.S.-based Pew Research Center recorded that almost 89 percent of the Egyptians stand in favor of Moussa's presidential candidacy. The head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) Field Marshall Hussein Tantawi, regarded by many as the leader of the revolution, enjoys even greater support. BM
