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Palestinians Move Toward a Unity Government

By Jim Teeple
Jerusalem
06 November 2006

Palestinian political leaders say a deal on a unity government is imminent and could be announced at any time. The political developments come as Israeli forces continue their military operations in northern Gaza, where a 16-year old boy was killed, overnight, by an Israeli air strike.

Palestinian political leaders are gathered in the Gaza Strip, where last-minute negotiations aimed at creating a unity government are underway.

Efforts to create a unity government between the Hamas and Fatah political factions have been ongoing for months. Until now, the efforts have gone nowhere, because Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - who heads the Fatah faction - has insisted that any new government accept commitments made by previous Palestinian governments, such as recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and accepting peace agreements signed by Israel and the Palestinians. These are issues that Hamas has refused to accept. Hamas has controlled the Palestinian government since winning legislative elections in January.

Mustafa Barghouti, an independent member of the Palestinian legislature, who has been brokering talks between Hamas and Fatah, says the new government will include a wide cross section of Palestinian political leaders.

Barghouti says Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh - a leading Hamas militant - will be replaced as prime minister. He gave no indication as to who the new prime minister will be.

Hamas leaders say they have agreed to a new prime minister and will submit their choice to President Abbas, soon.

Palestinians hope that a new unity government, not led by Hamas, will allow international donors to resume aid to the Palestinians, which has been frozen because of the Hamas refusal to recognize Israel. A new government might make it possible for Israel to resume tax and customs transfers to the Palestinians, which have also been suspended and which are vital for paying Palestinian government salaries.

Meanwhile, violence continues in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli forces and Palestinian militants have been locked in fierce fighting since last Wednesday, in and around Beit Hanoun. At least 50 Palestinians - most of them militants - have been killed in the fighting, which is the worst to occur in Gaza since Israel withdrew from the territory, last year.