Egypt postponed the next round of Fatah-Hamas talks slated for Tuesday until after Eid El-Fitr. The delay came after contacts initiated by an Egyptian delegation in Ramallah and Damascus with leaders of both Fatah and Hamas.
This was not the first delay and most certainly will not be the last.
Nobody expected the session would be held on time, or that the meeting would be a success should it be held.
The parties’ stances, especially Hamas, are ostensibly extreme, whether with regard to the on-the-ground issues or the tense media atmosphere.
Signs of that extremist attitude are evident when each side claims that it holds no rival political prisoners. Then we hear that on of the sides released hundreds of the detainees before Ramadan, or another occasion.
Each side accuses the other of arresting, kidnapping or detaining people affiliated with the opposing faction. Yet the call for the presidential and general elections next January should be the litmus test that could reveal real intentions.
We call on Palestinian Authority and Fatah to hold the elections in their due time and accept the people’s judgment.
The people are the source of legitimacy. When the people give their verdict it will be possible to emerge from the dilemma of division to a new reality, defined by the people.
It seems that Egypt supports that scenario, especially after it realized the difficulties facing the dialogue, with each side sticking to its position.
The question is, what could be done should the reconciliation efforts falter?
In what capacity can the Palestinian Legislative Council or the presidency govern? If some parties claim that Dr. Salam Fayyad’s government is not legal since it does not have the confidence of the PLC, then what logic will prove the legitimacy of Ismael Haniyyah as prime minister after the January elections, should the election time be missed?
In contrast with these realities, it is obvious that the dialogue staggers against closed doors. This is the result of the absence of faithful intentions and an honest desire for a successful outcome.
People rightfully ask, when will this marathon of chasing the dialogue mirage end? How can we still believe in a theoretical and elusive dialogue? Our people have but two options: One is to continue to pursue reconciliation and the other is finding other alternatives, mainly making a courageous decision to hold the elections in due time. An announcement about such a decision must be made immediately and all legal procedures should be taken.
Our native land faces crucial challenges. The political arena in the region is being prepared for a vivid diplomatic move, while Israel continues its settlement activities in Jerusalem. It is neither sensible nor accepted that our people confront these dangers with our factions divided, squabbling and exchanging accusations.