UN speech gives Abbas stronger hand

Gaza City: President Mahmoud Abbas' surge of popularity following his bid for UN recognition for a Palestinian state is bound to give him a stronger hand against the rival Hamas group as they prepare to resume talks on a stalled power-sharing deal next week.

Hamas has dismissed Abbas' recognition quest as futile. Still, they appear unnerved by his new image as a tough leader standing up to the Americans, suppressing shows of support for him.

In one Gaza City cafe, Hamas security agents switched off a TV showing Abbas' speech to the UN General Assembly and detained the owner.

Despite such tensions, the recent developments may mean future common ground. Throughout the Palestinian areas, Abbas' decision to seek UN recognition of a state in the West Bank, Gaza and Occupied East Jerusalem is being heralded as a major policy shift. For the first time, he is openly bypassing negotiations with Israel, defying the Obama administration on a fundamental issue. This could also make it easier for Abbas and Hamas to find ways to work together and repair their rift.

Hamas has long opposed negotiations, refusing to recognise Israel or renounce violence. Abbas, ardent in his rejection of violence, has preferred to establish a state through agreement. But he and his aides say privately they see no possibility of striking such a deal with Israel's traditionally hard-line prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. On his weekend flight home from New York, Abbas hinted at the possibility of sounding out Hamas about a shared political vision, something he has not raised before.

Reconciliation

"There will be deep talks with Hamas, not just about reconciliation, but also about the general horizon" of the Palestinians' future, he said. For the past four years, the political rift and animosity between the two sides has run deep.

Hamas overran Gaza in 2007 after defeating Abbas loyalists in fighting and set up a rival government to his internationally backed Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank. Each side went after the other's supporters. Repeated reconciliation attempts failed, in part because of opposition from the US and Egypt.

UAE reaffirms support

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, has reaffirmed UAE's continuous support to the Palestinian National Authority and to its endeavours to restore the legitimate rights of its people in returning to their homeland.

"The UAE also supports the Palestinian National Authority's current attempts, which are backed by member countries of the Arab League and the UN Members, to gain international recognition of the independent Palestinian state in accordance with relevant international resolutions, the road map, and the Arab peace initiative, and also supports Palestine's quest for full membership in the United Nations," said Shaikh Abdullah while addressing the 66th session of UN General Assembly on Monday.