CAIRO: Hamas and Fatah leaders, Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh and Fatah leader Mohammad al-Nahhal, announced on Saturday that a new government is to be announced after the officials meet in Cairo on November 24. Here, the fractions will take steps to appoint a new Prime Minister, and determine the process for holding parliamentary and presidential elections in May. These are the most progressive steps seen in a long time towards reconciling the absolute split that has parted Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza politically and practically since 2007. Al-Nahal commented on the matter saying that “The Palestinian people will witness in the next few days the birth of reconciliation.” Ismael Haniyeh added to the statement that the next Palestinian government will be located in the Gaza Strip. As such, the next head of the Palestinian government will be from Gaza. Fatah leader al-Nahal added Saturday that several names have been suggested for the position of Prime Minister. The current PM, Salam Fayyad, has vowed to step down from his post in an effort to end division between the factions, stating on his Facebook profile that he would not “impose himself on the Palestinian people.” Hamas has never recognized Fayyad in his seat as PM, and unity has been farfetched due to Abbas' loyalty to Fayyad. Since Abbas insisted on appointing him head of an interim government last May, Hamas suspended unity talks and the Egyptian-brokered unity deal. As the Palestinian Authority apparatus has lost considerable popular support since the beginning of the UN statehood process, this step to suggest political change might be very welcome. Nevertheless, news website Al-Risala quoted Fatah Central Committee member Mahmoud Aloul saying that “…forming a joint government between the two movements and excluding Fayyad of its presidency has not been raised in the meetings took place between the two movements.” However, the same report said the factions have great hope in their upcoming November meeting to “overcome all the obstacles hindering the formation of the government and the Declaration of National Unity.” Senior advisor to Gaza Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh, Ahmed Yousef, summarized the political program of what he dubbed “all Palestinian factions.” He stated the common goal to be “the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with its capital in Jerusalem.” Additionally, Hamas vowed to support Abbas in pushing for recognition in UN institutions. This is a considerable expression of support, as Hamas has earlier countered the bid for statehood at the UN, saying that Palestinians “do not beg for a state.” However, Israeli officials are not applauding the prospects of Palestinian unity. Commenting on the matter, un-named officials in Jerusalem said Thursday that “President Mahmoud Abbas cannot have both peace with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas.” “If Abbas effectuates this marriage in a meeting next week with (Head of Hamas Khaled, red.) Mashaal, this is a big problem for us,” one official said. “We have said before that Abbas can choose peace with us or Hamas, but they don't go together.” BM
