Many months have passed since Palestinian faction representatives in Israeli prisons signed what has become to be known as the Prisoners’ Document.
After much debate, the leaders of these factions outside the Israeli jails agreed on what is now known as the National Reconciliation Document based on the Prisoners’ Document itself.
After signing the reconciliation document six months ago, we are still moving around ourselves in an attempt to turn the theoretical reconciliation into practical – or transforming the agreement into the controversial national government that has so far not materialized.
Many weeks have passed while we hear the same arguments regarding an agreement on the basis of the promised government, the name of the candidate to head the cabinet, and that it would only take days to overcome the obstacles in the way of forming the government. Every time we were surprised by somebody claiming that there are points that should be resolved and contacts that must be made with this or that Arab capital. We also heard that internal negotiations between Palestinian factions were halted or at best slowed down.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian citizen feels frustrated and the economic, political and social suffering continues, as well as Israeli assassinations and destruction all over our homeland and more specifically in the Gaza Strip.
The unity government equation is clear should the intentions be good and the public interest is put over the private factional goals. Everybody knows that our country is under an almost complete economic and political blockade. Whether this blockade was a result of foreign hostile attitudes against us or aiming at breaking our will, the national interest requires that we exert all our efforts and potentials to lift this blockade and end the suffering of our people to enable them more steadfastness and facing the challenges in order to regain the political momentum – thus we would not be responsible for the situation under which we live and suffer.
Should we move forward from the launching pad of the National Reconciliation Document over which we all agree, we will find that the solution is easier and less complicated than many believe. If our aim is to lift the economic and political embargo, it would be no longer important who takes the portfolios of foreign affairs or interior ministry – for the goals are then clear and the means to reach them defined. The Palestinian Legislative Council will be ready to decide whenever it is necessary in addition to the presidency and the Palestinian Authority institutions as a matter of fact.
The loss of time is not in the best interest of any Palestinian party. Those who procrastinate on this issue of the unity government would bear the responsibility and the people will know their real intentions which prefer their partisan interest over the public national one.
All parties should be reminded that our differences are irrelevant, that our competition goes in the lost time and that we quarrel for a fish that has yet to be caught.
Ibrahim Deibes is a veteran Palestinian journalist. This editorial first appeared in Al-Quds.