Fatah Hamas Unity Government Sworn In
Rival Factions Unite: Fatah Hamas Unity Government Sworn In
Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah have arrived at an agreement to enable the PLA (Palestinian Authority) government to form a joint government in the Gaza strip. The two Palestinian factions have reconciled after 7 years to give peace a chance in the troubled Middle East. The representatives of the 2 rival parties held reconciliation talks in Cairo to reach the end to differences and conflicts between the two factions. The two reached an agreement on 23rd September to enable the formation of a Palestinian Authority government led by Rami Hadallah to take charge of responsibilities in the Gaza Strip.
As per the agreement, the PA will also take control of the Gaza Strip border crossings. The 2 sides will also work jointly to ensure the success of the PA government in the Gaza Strip. Former Palestinian Authority civil servants will also be returning to their work following an announcement regarding toe same by Musa Abu Marzouk, a senior official and spokesperson from Hamas. The PA has around 70,000 civil servants who will now return to their jobs.
The two rival factions had been unable to reach consensus in previous agreements because the crucial issue of who would be the decision maker in matters of war and peace never reached a conclusion. The New PA governmetn has been sworn in and the signing ceremony was broadcast live in the West Bank and Gaza. But the reaction from the US and Israel has been negative in many ways.
Media reports have indicated that US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed his concern about the role of Hamas in the government. However, a US spokesperson indicated US was willing to work with the new government based on principles followed by President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel has been angered by this move. Israeli PM Netanyahu has been quoted as having told his ministers that "Today, Abu Mazen (President Mahmoud Abbas) said yes to terrorism and no to peace." At the security cabinet meeting he had called, the Israeli PM and his ministers voted for the authorisation of unspecified sanctions against the PA, adding that the Palestinian Authority will be now held responsible for any attacks from the Gaza Strip.
President Abbas who leads the Fatah movement has indicated that the 17 member cabinet would consist of unaffiliated ministers and aim to pursue peace. The President seems hopeful and he has been quoted as saying "Today, and after announcing the government of national unity, we declare the end of division that caused catastrophic harm to our cause," Abbas said.
The Palestinian elections will be held in 2015. The new government recently formed will reunite Gaza and the West Bank under a single political authority, a direct change from what the situation has been since 2007 when Hamas came to power. After the 7 year separation, the two have joined hands to usher in peace. If President Abbas leads the government as per his principles of peace, an end could possibly be in sight for the longest conflict in the world right now, in the Middle East.
