MAKKAH, 10 February 2007 — Muslims all over the world yesterday celebrated the landmark peace accord reached by leaders of Palestinian groups in Makkah, ending a month of bloody infighting and opening a new era in inter-Palestinian relations. The Palestinian factions were preparing yesterday to form a unity government.
Palestinians working in the Kingdom told Arab News that they were greatly relieved after hearing the news about the Makkah accord, as they feared that the fighting between Hamas and Fatah forces would exacerbate into a civil war.
Faisal Mujahed, a Palestinian schoolteacher in Jeddah, said Palestinians back home were celebrating soon after the deal was signed in Makkah, because that put an end to the darkest period in the Palestinian history after the creation of Israel. “It was achieved thanks to the Kingdom’s quick and timely intervention,” he told Arab News. “We would not know what would have happened if the Kingdom had not called for this meeting.”
Um Mahmoud, a Saudi woman of Palestinian origin, applauded the great role played by King Abdullah in putting an end to the conflict between Hamas and Fatah.
“The king was right when he said that the deal will make our enemies angry as our infighting will only benefit our enemies,” she said and hinted at Israel’s efforts to escalate the tension between Palestinian groups. She said the Palestinians should focus on the main issues of occupation and protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Mahmoud Abu Saleh, a Palestinian who has been doing business in the Kingdom for 25 years, said the peace agreement would strengthen the Palestinians to confront their real enemy, the Zionists. “Al-Aqsa Mosque is under attack and we should unite to face the real threat,” he said and noted the king’s efforts to unite the Muslim world.
Sultan Al-Asmari, a Saudi government worker, urged Palestinians to forget their petty differences and join hands in confronting the common enemy.
“The Palestinians should know that irrespective of their groups, they are all in one ship. If they start fighting the ship will sink,” he said and accused the West of destabilizing Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine by causing problems. “The Muslim world should foil the Western designs on the region to divide countries and create instability,” he added.
