Last week, the rivalling Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fateh, represented by Palestinian President Mr Abbas and Prime Minister Haniya, in the Saudi city of Mecca and under the eyes of Saudi king Abdullah signed the so-called Mecca Accords. This agreement is supposed to bring an end to the month-long civil-war-like fighting between the followers of the movements in Gaza through the creation of a unity government composed of ministers from both Hamas and Fateh. What are the chances that this government will finally bring peace to Palestine and steer it into calmer waters? In my view, they are extremely bleak! Not only was it the secular and more moderate (though equally corrupt) Fateh movement that had to make most of the compromises to make this agreement get through which leaves the power status of Hamas somewhat untouched. What is worse, Hamas does not show any sign of recognizing Israel's right to exist - key to the re-initiation of peace and final status talks - and thus already from the start of this new government puts Abbas in a highly problematic position by openly defying his official stance. Unsurprisingly, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert during a meeting with Condi Rice and Abbas instantly refused to recognize this new government which, in turn, lead Mr Abbas to state that such a refusal will spur those Palestinian forces that want a civil war....What a never-ending quagmire!
Last week, the rivalling Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fateh, represented by Palestinian President Mr Abbas and Prime Minister Haniya, in the Saudi city of Mecca and under the eyes of Saudi king Abdullah signed the so-called Mecca Accords. This agreement is supposed to bring an end to the month-long civil-war-like fighting between the followers of the movements in Gaza through the creation of a unity government composed of ministers from both Hamas and Fateh. What are the chances that this government will finally bring peace to Palestine and steer it into calmer waters? In my view, they are extremely bleak! Not only was it the secular and more moderate (though equally corrupt) Fateh movement that had to make most of the compromises to make this agreement get through which leaves the power status of Hamas somewhat untouched. What is worse, Hamas does not show any sign of recognizing Israel's right to exist - key to the re-initiation of peace and final status talks - and thus already from the start of this new government puts Abbas in a highly problematic position by openly defying his official stance. Unsurprisingly, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert during a meeting with Condi Rice and Abbas instantly refused to recognize this new government which, in turn, lead Mr Abbas to state that such a refusal will spur those Palestinian forces that want a civil war....What a never-ending quagmire!
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