Egypt continues its efforts to mediate between Fatah and Hamas; Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has publicly upbraided them for their destructive divisions; yet Fatah and Hamas refuse to put their dispute aside and work together for the Palestinians’ common good.
There have been seemingly endless rounds of talks between the two in Egypt in which agreements are made at one session only to be disputed and unmade at the next. There was supposed to be a final round today to include other Palestinian bodies and interest groups, at which there was to be signed an agreement. As expected, it has been postponed — until after Eid. This is unacceptable — and no one should have any illusion that the delay is out of respect for Ramadan; on the contrary Ramadan is the perfect time for seeking reconciliation. It is because there remains a yawning chasm between the two groups. There is no agreement on any of the major points — coordination between them, a unity government, joint security forces or the upcoming elections — just seething hatred.
Hamas insists that there will be no elections in Gaza before a deal is agreed yet refuses to make the necessary compromises for one to happen, insisting as well on preconditions (notably that Fatah release the hundreds of Hamas members it is holding).
Fatah is no better; it has just arrested more Hamas members on the West Bank and sacked 17 pro-Hamas teachers there.
The truth is that so great is their mutual hatred they cannot bring themselves to end the feud. For both, the objective remains the humiliation and destruction of the other. Hamas is determined to remain in control of Gaza, Fatah of the West Bank. Both refuse to budge, fearing that whoever blinks first will be the loser. This week’s prisoner release orders, of 50 Fatah prisoners in Gaza then of 200 Hamas prisoners in the West Bank, was just a propaganda ploy, each side hoping to present themselves in good light and ensuring the other is blamed for the foundering talks.
The Palestinian people are being held ransom by a leadership that is small minded and selfish. As King Abdullah said in his appeal earlier this month, the divide has been more destructive to the Palestinians cause than years of Israeli aggression. But Fatah and Hamas are not listening — not to King Abdullah, not to Egypt, not to their own people desperate for a united leadership to stand up to the Israelis and win them their place in the sun.
Such arrogance is despicable. It is no wonder that ordinary Palestinians and other Arabs increasingly hold the two organizations in contempt.
The Palestinians are a people divided because of their leaders’ shameful rivalry — and the Israelis rule. It is all very well blaming the Israelis for creating the circumstances and taking advantage of them, but only Fatah and Hamas can change this destructive paradigm. Others can help, can urge reconciliation. Only the two groups can make the compromises needed if there is to be a settlement. They have missed this deadline. They should use this Ramadan to reach out in penitence, to forgive each other, work together and become the real leaders the Palestinians need. At present they are a squabbling outrage. That suits the Israelis perfectly.
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