After months of hibernation, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict seems to be getting more attention of late. Despite the volatility of the situation in Syria and Egypt the most recent agreement reached in the Qatari capital received a lot of media attention. It also seems to have touched a number of political nerves, especially within the Hamas movement in Gaza.
While the agreement in Doha was not the first public display of reconciliation between leaders of the largest Palestinian factions, many felt that this time, the agreement was for real. Why?
To begin with the Doha agreement resolved a major obstacle that has been haunting both sides for months, namely, who will be the interim prime minister until elections take place. Previously, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fateh Party had insisted on the need to keep Salam Fayyad as prime minister in order not to anger Western countries or Israel. Hamas had adamantly refused and the talks were deadlocked.
If Hamas didn't accept Fayyad, who is not a member of Fateh, why would they accept Abbas, who is the leader of Fateh? Furthermore, why did Abbas himself agree even though he was reportedly nominated for this position before and had rejected it?
Abbas had announced months earlier that he is not planning to run in the upcoming presidential elections. At the time, few took him seriously, but he has remained consistent in his determination not to run. Ironically his own movement keeps insisting on him being the only candidate while Hamas's leader has also said he is not planning to run either.
By accepting the added position of prime minister for a short interim period in which a totally non-partisan government will be established to supervise elections, Abbas' position is sealed. As much as they might think that he is the leader of their opponents, Hamas leaders know that it was under Abbas' rule that the last elections took place. The 2006 elections in which pro-Hamas legislators won the majority of the seats of the Palestinian Legislative Council were declared by all to be free and fair.
But while Abbas' role will ensure free elections this summer, other issues helped seal the most recent deal: money.
While the agreement between Hamas leader Khaled Mishaal and Abbas didn't include any talk about money, most observers are certain that Qatar's cash was a major reason for the agreement. Hamas, which has been distancing itself from the Bashar Assad government because of its violence against fellow Muslim Brotherhood activists in Syria, has found itself losing financial support from Syria's major ally, Iran. Mashaal recently visited Jordan and has not returned to Syria since then. Without Iranian funding, running the Gaza Strip has become much more difficult.
Funding for the Ramallah-based Palestinian government has also been a problem of late. After the Palestinian leadership decided to go to the U.N. to seek recognition, U.S. and other Western funding has dried up leaving Arab funding as the only alternative. It was no coincidence this week that Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo pledged to provide the Palestinian Authority with an estimated $100 million a month to help it cover the cost of salaries both in the West Bank and Gaza.
However, it is unlikely that this amount, or even a fraction of it, will actually be transferred to the Palestinian Authority if the reconciliation is not carried out.
Follow Daoud Kuttab on Twitter: www.twitter.com/daoudkuttab
Really? We are supposed to pretend that that was the big issue between Hamas and Fatah?
What's missing...? Here's a hint...
The word "peace" is not used once. The word "negotiations" is not used once. The word "Israel" is a single time.
He has been wearing his crown, proudly, I would add, for some time now. Let us make certain he does not bow, or bend, because, heaven forbid, his crown might slide off.
Abu Mazen has no plans to bow, bend, change course, depart to the sideroad of Peace. Like Mr. Magoo, he will keep running in the same direction, side by side with that famous bunny.
When Easter arrives, he will come by with a basket full of colored eggs. Uh, make that technocrats.
Unfortunately the status quo has been very profitable for the Palestinian leadership. From Abbas to Mishaal to the rest of the Palestinian leadership, none of these guys looks like they have missed a meal. A trip to the salad bar looks more in order if you get my drift. While they are getting fat, their people are suffering. But what self respecting Arab dictator actually cares about his people?
I would be glad to see some moderating of Hamas. I haven't actually seen any, but I'll take Kuttab's word for it. Let's keep up the pressure and cut off their funds. It's not the money will ever find its way to the Palestinian people.
1) Accept Israel's right to be, to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people
2) Accept all agreements reached by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) with Israel and signed by the parties
3) Cease all acts of terror and violence against Israel and its citizens, and all preparations for such acts
Hamas, to date, has categorically refused to accept these simple demands and instead insists on striving for annihilation of Israel and the elimination all that is Jewish in it..., it being the nation-state of the Jewish people and the cradle of Jewish civilization, Judaism, of the past 4,000 years.
Mr. Mahmoud Abbas eagerness to collaborate with Hamas, contrary to the demand of the international community, tell us about this "moderate" leader and his true intentions as well...!!
For while this "right to exist" is a major theme of the Zionist narrative, what exactly does this mean? The right to a Jewish National Home, or a Jewish State? The right to exist on 1948 Mandate Palestine or within pre-1967 borders? Does it mean the right to exist as a “Jewish” State or a “DemocratiÂÂÂÂÂc” State?"
Even though Israelis themselves cannot agree on what this "right to exist" means, it is unequivocaÂÂÂlly demanded of the disposesseÂÂÂÂÂd PalestiniaÂÂÂÂns.
Think about what this means. The Palestinians have to unilateralÂÂÂÂÂly declare "Israel’s" (whatever that means) “right to exist” (whatever that means), that is, the very legitimacy of their dispossessÂÂÂÂÂion and expulsion WITHOUT qualificatÂÂÂÂÂion, before they can even be considered worthy of being spoken to!
And despite Palestinian willingness to "recognize" Israel if it limits itself to 1967 borders, there can be NO such discussion whatsoever regarding a reciprociaÂÂÂÂÂl "recognitiÂÂÂÂon" of "PalestineÂÂÂÂÂ," even by the UN.
Nor apparently can there be any reciprocitÂy in the demand that the parties "renounce violence."
The well-intenÂÂÂÂtioned should not buy into these canards, nor should they be an obstacle to peace negotiatioÂÂns. Joint recognition will follow, not precede, agreement on borders and other issues.
There is a need for complete union. Above all there is a need for the abolition of wasta.
Where the family comes before the law, where connections come before rules and regulations, there can be no social justice, no modern norms or standards, no civil peace and security, no calm or sanity.
Premodern relations applied in societies attempting to modernize lead to a collective psychotic process of self-destruction. This is the social disease of the Islamic world. Hamas is in the midst of this cirsis of the clash between Premodern traditionalism and Modern Legalism. it is time they chose Law.
Hamas is going to have internal problems, if it does not have those already. Haniyeh does NOT AGREE with an Unity Government, as that will probably prevent Hamas from continuing the war until Palestine reaches from the river to the sea. Remember, Daoud? That was the issue which broke down the Unity Agreement last year. Then there are bound to be problems with Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Hamas has already announced that elections are going to be *difficult* even towards the end of 2012. Watch Abbas stickiing on longer, and no elections being held, whatsoever, by default. Hamas may even think, that IF an election were to come up, that would be their ticket to a win. I doubt that. Palestinians are afraid of the economic results of Hamas leadership, and Fayyad being closed out. He did score achievements on behalf of Palestinians. So did the reluctant Abbas.
But what to make of the honorary doctorate to Haniyeh AFTER Iran's stopping financial support to Hamas? The doctorate did NOT come with a financial award.
Your article, however interesting, runs behind news I have read elsewhere already, and it says nothing about Palestinians finaally getting to vote, or having an input.