2014 Fatah–Hamas Gaza Agreement

A Fatah–Hamas Gaza Agreement was signed in Gaza City on 23 April 2014 by Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of Hamas, and a senior Palestine Liberation Organisation delegation dispatched by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in an attempt to create reconciliation in the Fatah–Hamas conflict.[1]

It states that a unity government should be formed within five weeks, ahead of a presidential and parliamentary election within six months.[2]

Reactions

Mustafa Barghouti, General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, who was involved in the negotiation, described the deal as an "end to the division between the Palestinian people."[3]

The agreement was welcomed by the EU. Michael Mann, the foreign policy spokesperson, said "the EU has consistently called for intra-Palestinian reconciliation behind Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas".[4]

Following the agreement, the Israeli government announced that it would halt peace talks with the Palestinians,[4] but Abbas said the deal did not contradict their commitment to peace with Israel on the basis of a two-state solution.[5] However, Abbas assured reporters that any unity government would recognize Israel, be non-violent, and bound to previous PLO agreements.[6]

Politically speaking, some Israeli commentators have stated that the political landscape of Israel may shift to the right and towards more skepticism of the peace process as a result of the Fatah–Hamas agreement.[7]

West Bank plot

In the midst of negotiations to resolve the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, the Shin Bet revealed an alleged plot by Hamas to depose Fatah rule in the West Bank. This would be achieved by deploying Hamas cells around the West Bank to incite a third intifada and overwhelm Palestinian Authority forces. More than 90 people were arrested. President Abbas said the plot was "a grave threat to the unity of the Palestinian people and its future."[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Beaumont, Peter; Lewis, Paul (24 April 2014). "Fatah and Hamas agree landmark pact after seven-year rift". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Fatah, Hamas agree to form Palestinian unity government". France 24. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Hamas, Fatah announce talks to form Palestinian unity government". CNN. 24 April 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Israel halts peace talks with Palestinians". The Guardian. 24 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "Hamas and Fatah unveil Palestinian reconciliation deal". 23 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "PLO, Hamas unity constitute reuniting West Bank and Gaza: Ban Ki-moon".
  7. ↑ Keinon, Herb. "Politics: Fatah-Hamas unity talks breed Likud harmony". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  8. ↑ Ginsburg, Mitch (18 August 2014). "Israel says it foiled Hamas plan for massive attacks on Israel, coup against PA". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 August 2014.