Fatah and Hamas must work together

Palestinian mistakes do not justify the continued rift between the leaders in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) was undoubtedly mistaken in its first stance on the Goldstone Report. Hamas was mistaken in the language used in its exaggerated political campaign against the PNA, because of which, an opportunity for Palestinian reconciliation in Cairo was lost. The Goldstone Report, instead of being a good opportunity for the Palestinians to seek international pressure against Israel, became a reason for an intra-Palestinian altercation that has widened the rift. Let's agree that all have made mistakes regarding the central Palestine cause, but it becomes a crime when mistakes lead to sins. And now, as the PNA has amended its position, everybody is obligated to act on the Goldstone Report at the international level so that Palestinian victims in the Gaza Strip are given justice, which is one of the Palestinians' priorities — especially as winter is approaching.

Regarding political arrests between Fatah and Hamas, for which a recent agreement was forged in the Cairo dialogues, it is becoming urgent to bring an end to this problem. The fact that it continues makes it appear that neither party wishes to reconcile and consequently come to an agreement, particularly since each continues to fight the other. When each party continues to arrest members of the other party (irrespective of the reasons given), they forget the 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons who need us to struggle for their freedom — another Palestinian priority.

Thirdly, each party accuses the other of acquiescing to political pressures, one of which is that the PNA is "a lackey" for the US and its decisions are "dictated" by Lieutenant General Keith Dayton, US Security Coordinator for the Israel-Palestinian Authority in Tel Aviv. On the other side, Hamas leaders are accused of being "backward" and that their policies are "dictated" by Iran, Syria or Qatar. Even if these accusations were true, solidarity is necessary to give strong support to the present Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) position, which refuses to return to negotiations as long as Israeli colonisation activities continue. It is time for agreement on a new strategy whereby negotiations go hand-in-hand with resistance — this is yet another Palestinian priority.

The above factors are a consequence of, not a reason behind, the Palestinian rift. These problems can be resolved when reconciliation is achieved on the basis of strategic and tactical political unity. Any of the political differences can be exaggerated or reduced by means of a decision by both parties, for issues can be tackled much faster on condition that we agree on common political goals. A growing number of observers and commentators have noticed that exploiting one issue or another camouflages the actual nature of dissension; certain people inside each party seem to lack strategic will on the issue of "national unity" in addition to harbouring a hidden desire for the existence of two Palestinian entities, one in Gaza and the other in the West Bank. These are the real reasons for dissension. Present and strategic Palestinian interests demand all parties, not only Fatah and Hamas, work diligently on bringing an end to the schism. Palestinian unity is a vital need and a national necessity. This unity will bolster the internal front and bring about serious dialogue between all Palestinian entities for the purpose of laying down the foundation for a new Palestinian consensus in the face of increased Israeli and pro-Israeli Western pressure.

One must emphasise that the existence of regional interference is exaggerated. Regional factors cannot be effective unless they find a receptive party acting according to their directions. Therefore, getting out of the crisis is quite realistic, provided a comprehensive national dialogue is adopted and the altercation between Fatah and Hamas stops. The two movements have tried lack of dialogue and have hopefully realised the size of loss that the Palestinian cause has suffered. Let's presume both parties have learned a lesson. Above all, we call upon, nay we beseech, the leadership of each movement to stop their media war, which does nothing but exacerbate the situation. They should consider the negative effect of polarising the Palestinian people, knowing that neither will ever be able to remove the other and claim authority alone — what authority under occupation! Only then will Hamas and Fatah, together with other significant parties, think in terms of the peoples' interests and the Palestinian cause.

A comprehensive national dialogue on the basis of gathering everybody under the umbrella of an enlarged, democratic PLO, which represents all Palestinians, both in Palestine and beyond, in accordance with the Cairo accords of March 2005, must be held. Simultaneously, any agreement between Fatah and Hamas (together with the other Palestinian factions) must be accepted with the full and serious commitment that it should achieve Palestinian unity. This will unify both the PLO and the PNA, and all parties will work as one force adopting a policy of "calculated" negotiations that go hand-in-hand with "calculated" resistance. This is the only way for Fatah and Hamas to show their desire to build mutual trust and to concentrate all energy against the occupation. Collateral disagreements must be overlooked as they will only serve the Israeli enemy.

Professor As'ad Abdul Rahman is the chairman of the Palestinian Encyclopaedia.