Observers demand Palestinian unity talks

Palestinian political observers have identified the current uncertainty in Egypt, and peace negotiations with the Israeli government as the two main factors hindering potential reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. Nashat al-Aqtash, an expert in Palestinian affairs, claimed that the Palestinian Authority's (PA) decision to return to direct negotiations with Israel had undermined efforts to achieve national unity. He added that the political uncertainty in Egypt, with the ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi was also partly to blame. "If the Palestinians decided to hold reconciliation talks again, they would have a direct impact on negotiations with Israel." Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Aziz Dowik, condemned Fatah for returning to the negotiating table with Israel, despite the lack of progress over the last 20 years. Dowik claimed that dialogue with Israel would achieve nothing, adding that the Israeli government is intent on building 5000 houses in the West Bank. PLC member Najat Abu Baker urged President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to bring an end to the Palestinian division.   Former Palestinian minister Wasfy Kabaha, a leading member of Hamas, accused the PA of giving precedence to talks with Israel at the expense of national reconciliation. Meanwhile, Palestinian Abbas arrived in Cairo Monday for meetings with interim Egyptian President Adly Mansour, officials said. The visit marks Abbas' first trip to Egypt since President Morsi was ousted from office July 3 by the Egyptian military. Palestinian sources said that Abbas would not discuss Palestinian reconciliation with Mansour due to the strained relations between Egypt's new regime and Hamas.