Region | Palestinian Territories
A nation divided as the suffering continues
Today, the Palestinian people stand more divided than ever. Split into two groups, Palestinians in Gaza are being governed by Hamas while their brothers in the West Bank are under the rule of Palestinian president and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas.
- By Manal Alafrangi, Staff Writer
- Published: 00:28 December 31, 2007
Today, the Palestinian people stand more divided than ever. Split into two groups, Palestinians in Gaza are being governed by Hamas while their brothers in the West Bank are under the rule of Palestinian president and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas.
After Hamas won elections in January 2006, there was no direct dealing by Western countries with the elected government as Palestinians were told that dealings would be with president Mahmoud Abbas, a dear friend of the West who is credited with authoring the Oslo Accords (in which the word ‘occupation' was not mentioned even once).
The unseating of Fatah, which was in charge in the territories for 10 years but was increasingly seen as corrupt, was ill-received by the international community. Suddenly, all foreign aid was halted and an economic boycott was put in place.
This created an atmosphere of frustration amongst the people and intensified factional disputes. In February, Saudi Arabia brokered the Makkah Agreement between the rival Palestinian factions in order to offer a fresh chance for both parties to restore law and order.
Its other aim was to start a credible peace process, which had virtually become nonexistent since Hamas was elected in the most democratic election ever allowed to take place in the Arab world. By March, 2007, Fatah and Hamas had formed a unity government following sustained violence and a Western-led boycott that had shut off hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians.
However, the coalition was rocky from the start and by June, factional fighting dominated daily life and resulted in the deaths of many Palestinians. Suddenly, all attention was shifted from Israeli aggression and internal Palestinian strife made all the headlines.
June saw the elected government, led by Hamas, take over Gaza following bloody clashes and Fatah leaders were forced into the West Bank - marking the collapse of the Makkah Agreement. Palestinians found themselves disconnected and lacking a representative national movement.
The Palestinian territories, remain occupied by Israel; Palestinians still do not possess any meaningful political sovereignty.
Abbas dismissed the national unity government and appointed Salam Fayyad as the new Palestinian prime minister (replacing Hamas leader Esmail Haniya).
This was to a watershed in the Palestinian national movement's history. The immediate consequences of such a setting include economic and political ostracism of the Hamas government by Israel and the international community.
And making matters worse, the Israeli cabinet in October declared the Gaza Strip an “enemy territory'' in response to home-made rockets being fired into southern Israel (an act most Gazans oppose).
This “legitimised'' the disproportionate punishment of Gazans through disruption of electricity and fuel supplies, besides targeted assassinations and indiscriminate killings during Israeli “incursions''.
While internal security has improved in the eyes of many Gazans with the change of guard, the people are more isolated than ever and have undergone collective punishment.
A serious humanitarian crisis has hit the population and with foreign aid suspended, the future remains grim. Amongst Palestinians there is an overwhelming feeling that unity between the parties and a move towards dialogue is the best option.
The fact that Palestinians have endured (and continue to endure) 41 years of Israeli occupation, and lack the basic representation has helped create an atmosphere of despondence and helplessness.
Meanwhile, the illegal wall being constructed by Israel has carved up the West Bank. In the absence of national unity among the Palestinians, prospects for a political settlement based on a two-state solution are remote.
Many analysts have found it difficult to foresee how Abbas can secure a ceasefire with Israel and reach a political settlement without Hamas. In November, Palestinians represented by Fatah met with Israelis at the US-sponsored peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland.
This was the US's attempt to reignite the so-called “peace process'' one last time. One thing is clear: as long as the Palestinian schism endures, progress will be on shaky ground. Furthermore, isolating Hamas only strengthens more radical Palestinian forces in Gaza.
As an occupied people, Palestinians are not only the victims of Israeli aggression, but also victims of their own inept leadership. And that is their latest tragedy.
Share this article
More from Palestinian Territories
More from Region
Popular in News
News Editor's choice
-
Ajtebi's phenomenal assent
The former camel jockey was at the peak of his powers when upstaging Garret Gomez
-
US pushing for more aid to Philippines
Obama administration eyeing $667m security assistance package
-
Mohammad launches H1N1 campaign
Shaikh Mohammad was the first one to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
