A well-informed source close to the national dialogue told
the local news agency Ma’an that the delegation will focus on the Palestinian
unity. However, the official refused to reveal which factions would be present
at the talks.
The delegation is said to comprise businessmen, academics, Muslim
scholars, Christian clergymen, professors, judges and representatives of civil
society from the West Bank and Gaza.
Unity efforts hit a recent high point, following a wave of
protests by Palestinian youth groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. After March
15 protests, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh issued an invitation to
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to come to the Gaza Strip and resume unity
talks. Abbas accepted the invitation, but on the condition that the meeting be
used to sign an agreement initiating the formation of a unity government, which
would oversee the elections.
Haniyeh expressed concern over the “precondition,” and Hamas
officials warned that without a solid unity agreement, the parties would risk
another split.
In the West Bank, national elections are set for September and
a municipal vote for July. Hamas officials in Gaza have said they will not
participate in the vote under the current government, saying they do not trust
the elections to be fair.
