Palestine: Land Divided. Fatah & Hamas Standoff

Ismael Haniyeh of Hamas (Left) & Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah (Right)

So far, the situation in the Gaza Strip remains the same, nothing has changed in the issue of resuming the dialogue between the two rival movements, Fatah and Hamas, although dozens of local and Arab initiatives were presented to both movements to end their differences. There seems to be no end to the bitter rivalry between both movements.

Leaders of the two movements, as well as leaders of other factions and political groups release daily statements, stressing on the fact that if the dialogue is resumed, it will lead to a breakthrough in the inter-Palestinian situation and to an end to the current crisis. But the reality is, there will be no solutions as long as there is interference by the U.S particularly it's continuous support for Fatah. The interest of the U.S and that of Israel is to undermined Hamas which it considers a terrorist movement.

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) was founded in Gaza in December 1987. It became so popular and earned a huge Palestinian popular support following a series of suicide bombing attacks it carried out over the past 20 years, until it had overwhelmingly won the elections of 2006. After it won the elections and defeated President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah movement in Gaza and West Bank, it formed a government and formed a special executive force in Gaza that challenged Abbas security forces. This started the fight between the two movements. It was about seizing power.

The U.S and Israel unhappy with the wishes of the palestinian people when electing Hamas, sought to interfere directly. It did not recognize the election result and backed Fatah. It imposed economic sanctions on Gaza and the West Bank and restricted palestinians movements. The fallout between Fatah and Hamas, the internal fighting and killings between both movements was a direct result of U.S and Israeli interference. They were the instigators.

Following months of fighting in Gaza, Hamas finally defeated Abbas security forces and his Fatah movement's militias and took control of the Gaza Strip. Gaza takeover complicated the situation and made the possibility of getting back to the negotiation table impossible. Fatah movement conditioned the resumption of dialogue with ending Gaza takeover, a request that is still rejected by Hamas, which insists that the parties should first sit on the table and then discuss all outstanding issues. To ordinary palestinians, this is wishfull thinking.

Fatah accused Hamas that it hasn't so far accepted any initiative and also hasn't seriously considered any initiative of President Abbas on resuming dialogue. Hamas then said that the initiative of Abbas which called for resuming the dialogue is not serious because there is an American and Israeli veto on resuming the dialogue with Hamas. This was Hamas argument all along. The constant interference of the U.S and Israel.

While Fatah and Hamas are still having the same situation without making a dramatic change, the Palestinian people will be the only party that will keep suffering and the Palestinian life would keep deteriorating. There must be reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas urgently. If the two parties achieve reconciliation, the West Bank and Gaza Strip will be united and the Palestinians will live a better life than such a situation that makes their life a nightmare.

Then and only then the palestinians can move forward and achieve independence. The world wants to help them. The world is not necessarily supportive of Israel and it's apartheid policies. The palestinians must first help themselfs and end this bickering and senseless infighting. They should not be enemies but be allies.