The Egyptian-sponsored talks between Fatah and Hamas starting on Wednesday in Cairo will not be the first attempt at reconciliation but could prove the most successful. For one, Fatah could order an amnesty for some Hamas prisoners. The detainees’ issue forced Hamas at the 11th hour to boycott a national reconciliation dialogue hosted by Egypt in November. The three-week Israeli onslaught on Gaza might also have brought Hamas to the conclusion that unity with Fatah, for all their differences, is in the end better than being in isolation. A donors conference for the reconstruction of Gaza to be held in Cairo on March 2 could, as well, persuade Hamas that money will flow into Gaza easier when a more stable relationship with Fatah can be gauged.
It also appears that Egypt has agreed to sideline, even if temporarily, the involvement of some key Fatah figures regarded suspiciously by Hamas. One huge advantage is the administration of President Barack Obama that has offered encouragement to Cairo to try to end the stalemate, something George W. Bush would never have done.
Nobody is promising full-fledged reconciliation soon; however, it seems the Palestinian factions are showing a new sense of realism. And none too soon. The collapse of the national unity government was a serious setback to the cause of Palestine. Worse was to come when Hamas decided to shed Palestinian blood and resort to arms to settle its dispute with Fatah.
The military operation by means of which Hamas sought to settle its longstanding power struggle with Fatah ended up severing the West Bank from Gaza and precipitated an international furor, leaving Hamas more isolated than ever in its Gaza confines.
The internal fissure gravely obstructed the Palestinian cause. To make matters worse, some influential elements in the Palestinian factions have deliberately sabotaged all attempts to mend fences. It is as though they have some vested interest in perpetuating the Gaza-West Bank divide.
This makes leaders on either side more vulnerable than ever to outside manipulation, especially from other regional forces. So what we are dealing with in Palestine is not merely a dispute or even a power struggle between two factions. The problem is far more dangerous, because factional conflict has torn through the entire social fabric, vertically from the family base up to most respected social and political institutions, and horizontally across the various demographic sectors and age groups.
But reconciliation has benefits that could be too enticing to forgo. Ending divisions between Hamas and Fatah may lead to the lifting of the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. The end of the schism will also help counter Israel’s claim that the Palestinians are not ready for statehood.
Even when Palestinians had a united leadership, Israel was doing everything in its power to undermine the chances of a settlement. Those attending the Wednesday talks should ask whether they should continue to make things easier for Israel and harder for their own people.
