Palestinian factions sign unity deal in Cairo

[azurnoir]

Palestinian factions gathered in Cairo on Tuesday signed a reconciliation deal that will pave the way for elections within a year, an AFP correspondent said.

Representatives of 13 factions, including President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party and its rival Hamas, as well as independent political figures inked the deal following talks with Egyptian officials.

A formal signing ceremony will be held on Wednesday, and will be attended by Hamas chief Khalid Mash'al and President Mahmoud Abbas.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=384373

Hamas, Islamic Jihad pledge to honor truce with Israel under unity government

Hamas officials said Monday that the Islamist militant group would honor an unofficial truce with Israel after forming a new unity government with Palestinian rivals from the West Bank.

Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, is set to sign a reconciliation agreement with Fatah on Wednesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction to end the rivals' four-year rift. A joint caretaker government is planned ahead of elections next year.

Officials also said that Islamic Jihad, which has firedr barrages of rockets and mortar shells at Israel in recent years, had agreed to honor the truce as well

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-islamic-jihad-pledge-to-honor-truce-with-israel-under-unity-government-1.359597

[oberliner]

1. Lowey (D-NY): Hamas Not a Partner for Peace

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, today slammed Hamas for condemning the killing of Osama bin Laden:

“It took less than one week since news of a potential Palestinian unity government for Hamas to demonstrate to the world that they are not a responsible partner for peace in the Middle East.

“It is appalling that Hamas would praise Osama bin Laden as a holy warrior, true believer, and martyr, and condemn his killing. But it is not surprising, considering Hamas’ long and continuing record of targeting innocent men, women, and children in Israel with terrorist attacks.

“The Palestinian Authority should immediately abandon the formation of a unity government that includes Hamas, which continues to prove that peace is not their priority.”

http://lowey.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=18§iontree=17,18&itemid=707

[azurnoir]

2. well that's nice and quite expected should we act shocked?

and I am sure the head of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs will be first in line to agree

[oberliner]

3. I was a little shocked that Haniyeh spoke so highly of Bin Laden

I am confident the majority of Democrats (and, indeed most Americans) would be equally disgusted by such remarks.

[azurnoir]

5. Shocked by Haniyeh's words, really? perhaps I am a bit jaded

but little that happens here can be said to shock me in fact OBL's death did not shock me or overjoy me, it was justice served to a singular person but in the big picture it changes nothing it does not undo what has been done, our troops will not be withdrawn from Afghanistan, the WOT will never be over, and in fact it is possible our involvement in Pakistan will only deepen but what I would like Obama to do is issue an apology on the behalf of America to Iraq even though he is not responsible for the invasion, if you remember the first premise for our invasion was that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and the Iraqi people deserve an apology for the harm that has been needlessly done them at the very least

[oberliner]

6. US: Hamas Leader’s bin Laden Remarks 'Outrageous'

Excerpt:

At a news briefing, State Department Acting Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said Haniyeh’s remarks on bin Laden were an outrage.

"They’re outrageous. It goes without saying bin Laden was a murderer and terrorist," he said. "He ordered the killings of thousands of innocent men, women and children... many of whom were Muslim. He did not die a martyr. He died hiding in a mansion, or a compound, far away from the violence that was carried out in his name."

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/US-Hamas-Leaders-Bin-Laden-Remarks-Outrageous--121187969.html

[azurnoir]

14. Perhaps the 'outrage' is better saved for Pakistan n/t

[Harmony Blue]

10. What makes Pakistan a responsible government to speak with then?

Hamas, like Pakistan, must satisfy the extremists within their own government, so no surprise they would make such a statement. The Palestinians have their eye on the main goal which is coming at the end of the summer, and don't want to destabilize this unity.

[oberliner]

11. Good question

Though, I would think Hamas would alienate more Palestinians with those remarks. Maybe it would be better from them not to worry so much about "satisfying extremists".

I wouldn't want Obama making any far-right wing statements just to "satisfy extremists" in our own country.

[sabbat hunter]

16. One difference

Hamas IS extremist.

[Scurrilous]

4. Good news.

:thumbsup:

[henank]

7. What's good about it?

Hamas does not have to recognize Israel, says PA

How is that going to help the cause of peace???

[Violet_Crumble]

8. Quite a bit is good about it. ...

Of course a united Palestinian leadership is good. It makes the Palestinians stronger and instead of fighting against themselves, they can oppose the occupation by Israel. I can see why the hardline Israeli govt wouldn't think it was good. After all, they don't get to sit back and watch factional fighting and go on about how barbaric those Palestinians are the way they fight with each other....

How do you define peace? Are you aware that Nutty and his gang of extremists aren't interested in any peaceful resolution to the conflict that results in two viable and independent states living side by side? He's done all he can to try to ensure that something where both people, not just Israelis, doesn't happen. That govt would prefer to take more land that isn't part of Israel and build on it rather than have any sort of peace. I'd think continuing a brutal occupation and settlement building wouldn't be helping the cause of peace, and next to them Hamas not officially recognising Israel, and Israel not officially recognising Hamas as being part of the Palestinian leadership is a tiny thing compared to that...

[oberliner]

9. Great point - there is nothing good about this

Hamas is clearly desperate - realizing they would probably lose an election (an election, by the way that is long overdo and that they have done everything to prevent) - Hamas has managed to give itself legitimacy by latching on to the group that it refused to deal with (and violently attacked) over the past few years.

Had the PA stood strong and demanded elections, the Palestinians could have freed themselves from the despicable Hamas leadership - whose spokesman recently spoke out in support of Bin Laden.

Instead they decided to throw Hamas a lifeline, including easing up on any pressure for them to recognize Israel or renounce violence.

It is a real shame to see how this has all played out.

This deal is good for Hamas and its supporters - no one else.

[azurnoir]

13. and in that event what of the people of Gaza?

was there to be Palestinian state that did not include them?

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. Outgoing Shin Bet chief calls fear of Hamas-Fatah deal 'out of proportion'

Outgoing Shin Bet chief calls fear of Hamas-Fatah deal 'out of proportion'

Diskin calls Hamas acceptance of deal 'a tactical move' made in the context of wider unrest in the Middle East region.

By Amos Harel

Outgoing Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin said Wednesday that reactions to the reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have been blown out of proportion.

Diskin attributed Hamas' change of heart to concern in the wake of developments in the region - particularly the potential collapse of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

The leaders of Hanas are trapped between their support of Assad and calls by Sunni clerics to overthrow the regime, Diskin clarified, adding that the Islamist movement is keen on improving its relations with Egypt and its new government.

snip:

The outgoing Shin Bet chief also dissented from Israeli proposals to freeze the transfer of tax money to the Palestinian Authority. "Overall, we have to give the Palestinian Authority money," he said.

"If we, the Americans and the West do not give money, there will be no Palestinian Authority - this a matter for strategic decision making," he added. "At the moment, as long as the Palestinian Authority remains in status quo, there is no reason to change our policies toward them or the security arrangements we have with them."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/outgoing-shin-bet-chief-calls-fear-of-hamas-fatah-deal-out-of-proportion-1.359825

[azurnoir]

15. The candidates for the interim government

Munib Al-Masri Billionaire philanthropist and unity activist from Nablus, who spearheaded a unity push with business owners and independent leaders in the West Bank, traveling more than once to Gaza to meet with figures there. He heads PEDECO, a Palestinian investment firm.

Ziad Abu Amer Legislative Council member, author and former foreign minister from Gaza City who earned his masters degree in comparative politics from Georgetown University in Washington DC. He was first elected to the PLC in 1996.

Abed Al-Karim Shubeir Former independent presidential candidate in the 2005 elections, where he garnered 2.6 percent of the popular vote, coming in fourth after Abbas, Mustafa Barghouthi and Taysir Khald.

Jamal Al-Khudari Gaza independent and former minister, elected to the Legislative Council in 2006. He has been active in the unity push.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=384619

more at link

[oberliner]

17. Always good to be a billionaire

Richest Palestinian gets to be PM?