Fatah's governing body will evaluate party support and possible strategies including the September deadline for statehood and a possible bid at the UN, an official said Monday night.
The party's Revolutionary Council began meetings late Monday evening, headed by president and party leader Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, officials told the government news agency WAFA.
The meetings had been delayed for two months as Abbas and Fatah officials worked to push forward a surprise unity deal to reconcile the party with Hamas in an agreement to create a new Palestinian government ahead of elections.
Secretary-General of the Revolutionary Council Amin Maqboul told WAFA that the meetings in Ramallah would discuss government plans in light of that unity deal.
Before parties unified, the Fatah-led PA was on a course seeking the establishment of all institutions necessary for a state, under the program of the 13th government, "Ending the Occupation, Establishing a State." The plan has been heavily backed by the international community since its launch in 2009.
Officials had also announced that the Palestinian leadership would go to the UN seeking recognition of a state in September.
A unity agreement will see the establishment of a technocrat government, but international financing of that body appears in jeopardy, as Israel withholds Palestinian tax revenues claiming the money could end up with Hamas. US officials have also expressed reservations and say they will wait and see what the transitional government will look like.
Israel has slammed the decision to unify Palestinian factions and said it means an end to peace talks. But US officials are expected to push a return to talks, which will be led by the PLO and not a new government, meaning Hamas would have no greater involvement than when Israeli settlement construction stalled the last round of talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected in Washington on May 20, three days after Jordan's King Abdullah visit to the White House.
Fatah's Maqboul confirmed to WAFA that the party would discuss the recent developments and the possibility of postponing local elections set for July, and reevaluate decisions for September.
Party meetings will last three days, Maqboul said, adding that representatives were ready to do "real work" and develop "clear positions" that will aid progress in the coming months.
Front Page Features