Palestinian reconciliation efforts take a hit

Reconciliation efforts between Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah have taken a hit, after Hamas refused to allow Fatah members to celebrate its 48th anniversary, in the Gaza Strip. During a meeting of the Fatah Central Committee on Wednesday, President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated the Palestinians on the 48th anniversary of their revolution, which brought Palestinians back on the political and geographical map. The Central Committee stressed that Fatah and Palestinian people will mark this anniversary, through three central festivals in the northern provinces of Nablus, Ramallah and Bethlehem. The Committee denounced Hamas' refusal to commemorate the anniversary in the Gaza Strip, adding that the decision "disturbs the positive atmosphere" during the last few months, and will have negative repercussions on reconciliation efforts. Fatah spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina, said that "no one can deprive our people in Gaza of their right to celebrate the anniversary of their revolution in the way they choose." Speaking about the meeting, Rudeina said that Fatah is ready to take steps to tackle the challenges lying ahead, including the settlements issue. He also reiterated the group's refusal of suspicious projects and fragmented solutions that harm the Palestinian cause, including a state in Gaza or a state with provisional borders in the West Bank, excluding the return of refugees and Jerusalem. Abu Rudeina said, "President Mahmoud Abbas has emphasised the need to finish the constitution of the state of Palestine, which would abide by the democratic path and the peaceful transfer of power, protecting political pluralism, human rights, citizenship and the rights of Palestinian women." He pointed out that Abbas has warned against the negative impact of settlements on the entire peace process, stressing that Palestinian leadership will not allow Israeli settlement schemes, especially  project (E1), which will isolate Jerusalem and divide the West Bank into two parts. Abu Rudeina added that this would ultimately undermine the two-state solution, and spoil all international efforts to reach a just and comprehensive peace in the region. He explained that the Palestinian president is in constant touch with all relevant parties in order to stop this senseless actions of the Israeli government, which goes against all the obligations and resolutions of international legitimacy. Abu Rudeina expressed his rejection of Israel's restrain of Palestinians funds, rating it a hostile act and one that represents the worst forms of collective punishment. He called on the international community to compel Israel to release these funds. The Central Committee discussed the current difficult economic situation and called for Arab nations to meet their obligations and adhere to the decisions agreed upon to provide a financial safety net for Palestinians. In terms of Palestinian reconciliation, Abu Rudeina said that the Fatah movement is committed to ending the Palestinian division and achieving reconciliation on the basis of resorting to the Palestinian people, through general elections, and in accordance with the Doha and Cairo agreements. The Central Committee took a series of internal decisions to adjust and arrange organisational work. The decisions included restricting membership, holding elections inside the regions, and adopting internal reconciliation. According to Abu Rudeina, this way Fatah would be prepared for all the key challenges ahead.