Hamas and Fatah Meet in Cairo

[tekisui]

Source: VOA

Officials from the rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah have met in Cairo for the first time in 10 months.

Hamas and Fatah representatives met on the sidelines of talks between Palestinian groups and Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo.

Last week following Israel's three-week military offensive in Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the rival factions to form a unity government before holding elections.

The current head of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference said Hamas and Fatah must put aside their differences in order to negotiate a lasting peace with Israel.

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has met repeatedly with leaders of the rival groups since taking charge of the OIC last March. Presidential spokesman Amadou Sall, said Mr. Wade believes a unified Palestinian position is the only way to make progress toward peace.

Sall said President Wade has also been meeting with Israeli officials to prepare for mediation between Israel and a unified Palestinian Authority.


more: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-26-voa32.cfm

[Idealism]

1. If

the moderates from Hamas in their civil arm can form a unity government without the inept and corrupt members of the Fatah party, it would greatly increase the chance for peace in the region. Israel has to do their part, too, though. If Israel elects Bibi, it will be a dark decade.

[oberliner]

2. Who are the moderates from Hamas?

Can you identify the people whom you are talking about?

[Idealism]

3. They don't exactly have a Wikipedia page

You are a being unreasonable if you think that every member of Hamas is an AK47-wielding, Israel-hating, jihadist.

[oberliner]

4. Can you name anyone from Hamas whom you would consider a moderate?

Is there anyone from the current Hamas leadership or among those who won seats in the legislative election who you feel is a moderate?

[Idealism]

5. Find me a list of Hamas members killed in this conflict

and I will find you who left alive can be called a moderate.

Meshal at times can be said to be centrist among a militant organization. Even after botched assassination attempts, he remains open to peace and has outlined several proposals on it (though Israel won't accept Meshal's demands).

Haniyeh was open to peace before threats of assassination from Israel and now this Gaza operation, although he may be the most moderate force left standing inside Hamas after the lastest violence.

Yassin was perhaps the most moderate leader of Hamas in this decade, but Israel assassinated him within a week of him publicly expressing a desire for a lasting peace with Israel.

[oberliner]

7. Dr. Nizar Rayan and Mr. Sa'id Siam were the two senior Hamas members killed

You consider Meshal and Haniyeh to be relatively moderate/centrist?

As they are the current leaders of Hamas that would suggest that the moderate voices within Hamas are prominently represented. Is that your view?

[Idealism]

16. Haniyeh is more centrist than Meshal but both have offered long-term cease fires

While not being outright peace, if Israel were to retreat back to 1967 borders, give up the illegal settlements, and apologize for 1948, I am sure a lasting peace can be created in the region. The right of return may not even have to be broached if the world would give the Palestinian state the same support that we give Israel.

Meshal has shown both sides, his hawkishness and his ability to reason. Depending on which interview you read, he can appear moderate or hard-lined. Al Jazeera had a good interview with him not too long ago, I will try to find it for you if you'd like.

Haniyeh is probably the best bet for moderation that will be accepted by the Palestinian people. Abbas will only stay a ruler by dictatorship if the world would demand him to be the de facto President of Palestinians, as the first vote they hold they will vote Hamas back in (or lacking Hamas, probably worse).



Honestly, Hamas gets a bad wrap here. They aren't all crazy terrorists. They did a commendable job bringing the rule of law back to Gaza, especially when compared to the utter lack of justice when corrupt Fatah was in power. They won popular support by being a Reform movement inside a Socialist government, their campaign platform wasn't their charter. Nothing about "eternal fighting until there are no Zionists left" or anything/

[ProgressiveMuslim]

8. I'm going to PM Lithos and ask him to answer your question, as there is a huge range of thought

within the movement, and he has a gazillion facts about it at his fingertips.

[oberliner]

9. Is this sarcasm?

I seriously can't tell.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

10. Not in the least! I am assuming your question was genuine?

He has a lot of knowledge about this, and I think it would be useful to share.

[oberliner]

11. It was geniune - I didn't realize Lithos had that information

I would be curious to learn more.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. If any group is left out of the unity government it will be Hamas

[ProgressiveMuslim]

14. Wouldn't a unity gov't -- by definition -- require Hamas' participation?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. Depends if Hamas gets stupid and gets itself banned

Its going to a little while before elections are held. Hamas leadership has shown a preference for the AK and the Qassam over talking. If they get macho and stupid they could well be gone.

Hamas is pretty hardcore and far from progressive.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

17. Really? Thanks for the primer! nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. There was violence there in the last 24 hours

Looks to be across the border. Some reports of tanks and or shelling in return. Lets see what comes of it

[azurnoir]

6. Hopefully a Palestinian unity government can be formed

it is the only hope for Palestinian people to finally have their own state, as long as they remain divied they are also immeasurably weakened, which is why IMO some would have it remain that way.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Many others have been calling for it, espcially since the coup in Gaza

[ProgressiveMuslim]

19. Perhaps Fatah will go for it, having witnessed the growing popularity of Hamas. nt