Competing visions for Palestinians
While the Israelis and US want to isolate Hamas, some Arab states see need for Palestinian unity.
from the June 27, 2007 edition
Page 2 of 3
The Monday meeting in Egypt was largely focused on trying to shore up Abbas's position. Though some concessions were made – Israel has agreed to release some of the $600 million in frozen Palestinian tax revenue and plans to release about 250 members of Fatah from its prisons – they stopped short of what he asked for and, analysts say, short of steps that would improve living conditions in the Fatah-controlled West Bank.
The Middle East negotiators who make up the Quartet – peace makers from the US, United Nations, the European Union, and Russia – also met Tuesday in Jerusalem.
Officials in Egypt say Abbas is pressing for Israel to remove roadblocks that restrict Palestinian movement in the West Bank, and for the release of popular Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti.
Though Olmert has said he would like the roadblocks eased, the Israeli security heads have been opposed and have carried the day so far. Olmert's statement that no Fatah members with "blood on their hands" will be released appears to rule out a concession on Mr. Barghouti: He's serving a life sentence in Israel for murder, though his supporters claim the charges were fabricated.
Within Israel, both the left and the right appear to agree that the notion of improving life in the West Bank in order to help Fatah, and hurt Hamas, is likely to be unsuccessful, though for different reasons.
"Anyone who thinks they can strike a deal with half of the Palestinian people is deluding themselves. Legitimacy rests at the bottom, with the religious people, the refugees. Hamas can provide that legitimacy. You need them to maintain any agreement with Israel," says Shaul Mishal, a Tel Aviv University professor and author of "The Palestinian Hamas."
"Don't rush toward Fatah, because it's a pillar of sand," he says. "It's too corrupt, too confused, and tired."
He also says he thinks the two movements will patch things up. "This isn't the end of the game, this is the beginning of the game. Israelis shouldn't delude themselves that the harsh words are indicative of the long-term strategy of Fatah. I am sure within days or within weeks they are going to talk to each other."
A more right-wing Israeli view is that building up Abbas is a waste of time, since he hasn't been able to stop rocket attacks on Israel or secure the release of Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who's been held in Gaza by the armed wing of Hamas for the past year. On Monday, Hamas released an audio tape of Corporal Shalit in which he said his health was deteriorating and called on Israeli to meet his captors' demands – a prisoner exchange.
Raphael Israeli, a professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, says Israel should not waste its time on trying to work with Abbas and his Fatah Party but instead should focus on treating Gaza as its own state and, if necessary, use tough sanctions like turning off the water that Israel provides.
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