National unity government in Palestine-- at last!
So Pres. Mahmoud Abbas and PM Ismail Haniyeh have finally agreed on the terms for an intra-Palestinian political deal and the formation of a national unity government. About time!
Back in February/March, when I was in Palestine, the Americans and Israelis were doing evrything they could to prevent non-Hamas people from responding positively to the entreaties of the Hamas people that they join such a government. I myself was witness to the sending of a strong threat of "the very worst consequences" by parties inside Israel to one Palestinian pol who had been invited to join a coalition government with a strong Hamas presence.
Well, times have changed (a little.) Maybe there is now hope for some real progress towards self-determination and national indepndence for the Palestinians? I am not holding my breath on this,... But still, if there is some hope for sovereignty, self-rule, and a bit of real relief for even a portion of the Palestinians right now, that's better than what they currently have.
The news reports say that the new coalition will be based on "the prisoners' document" issued earlier this year. Here's what I wrote about that in May.
Finally agreed? The supposedly useless pressure by US and Europe finally did its thing. The bombastic statements from Hamas went up in smoke when it came time to pay the bills with Euro welfare. Smuggling gulf cash through the Egyptian borders didn't cut it and with one half to one third of the payroll being public employees, ideology and hatred don't fill their stomachs.
Sam,
Hamas' first preference was for a unity government. It went it alone, when it was unable to get argreement on one, no doubt in part because of the pressures that Helena mentions. Also due to Fatah smarting over its' loss at the time(entirely its' own fault), instead of putting the Palestinian cause first, something it regularly has trouble doing.
Sam,
Hamas' first preference was for a unity government. It went it alone, when it was unable to get argreement on one, no doubt in part because of the pressures that Helena mentions. Also due to Fatah smarting over its' loss at the time(entirely its' own fault), instead of putting the Palestinian cause first, something it regularly has trouble doing.
Twice for good measure!