Tag: hamas

Suddenly, It’s Advantage Fatah, and a Solution

JERUSALEM — Has the just-ended Fatah party convention, concluded in a cavalcade of personnel change, affected the prospects for a two-state solution that might finally resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Even more than the dramatic shift of power from the old guard of politicians who had returned from exile to the middle-aged generation that grew up … Continue reading “Suddenly, It’s Advantage Fatah, and a Solution”

Future of Fatah in Doubt

RAMALLAH — The future of Palestinian unity talks is far more complex than the bitter rivalry, bloodshed and division which represent the yawning chasm separating Palestine’s two main political factions, Hamas and Fatah. There are serious issues within Fatah that need to be resolved. After two decades of power struggles and acrimony within the organization, … Continue reading “Future of Fatah in Doubt”

Hamas-Fatah Violence May Derail Reconciliation

RAMALLAH – Egyptian mediators have set July 7 as deadline for final Palestinian reconciliation talks in Cairo. The Egyptians say time is running out, and if there is no progress in July, they will no longer be prepared to arbitrate. Continued political detention and abuse of Palestinian prisoners by Hamas in Gaza and by the … Continue reading “Hamas-Fatah Violence May Derail Reconciliation”

Hamas Leader to Obama: Deeds, Not Words

DAMASCUS — The head of Hamas’s political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, gave a qualified welcome here Thursday to the big speech that Pres. Barack Obama addressed to the Muslim world in Cairo. "The speech was cleverly written in the way it addressed the Muslim world… and in the way it showed respect to the Muslim heritage," … Continue reading “Hamas Leader to Obama: Deeds, Not Words”

Palestinian Authority Going the Israeli Way

RAMALLAH — A surge in confidence, following unprecedented U.S. political support, led to the Palestinian Authority’s bloody crackdown on a Hamas cell in the northern West Bank on Sunday which left six Palestinians dead. However, reports of questionable Palestinian Authority (PA) tactics, including the use of Palestinian civilians as human shields, has brought the operation … Continue reading “Palestinian Authority Going the Israeli Way”

Bloody New Battles Suit Israel

RAMALLAH – The inevitable has happened. Simmering tensions between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have left six Palestinians dead, in the bloodiest confrontation between the two groups since Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza in June 2007. A bloody gun battle broke out Sunday morning in the northern West Bank town of Qalqilia between a … Continue reading “Bloody New Battles Suit Israel”

Abbas Visit Comes as US-Israeli Tensions Mount

U.S. President Barack Obama’s first meeting on Thursday with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas was less remarkable for the actual talks between the two leaders than it was for the changed Washington political climate in which it took place. The meeting between Obama and Abbas seemed to contain no real surprises, as both leaders … Continue reading “Abbas Visit Comes as US-Israeli Tensions Mount”

Palestinians Scoring Own Goals

RAMALLAH – While the U.S. appears to be optimistic about Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, inter-Palestinian rivalry, a recalcitrant Israeli government, and an international community with its own agenda could well scuttle a settlement. For the first time in decades the U.S., under President Barack Obama’s new administration, appears to be putting pressure on Israel through Prime … Continue reading “Palestinians Scoring Own Goals”

Power Struggle Killing Gaza Patients

GAZA CITY – The lives of hundreds of critically ill Gazans continue to be jeopardized by the power struggle between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah and political blackmail by Israel. Mohammed Zibdeh, 12, who has cancer of the brain, is waiting in Gaza City for a permit to travel to Israel for advanced treatment. … Continue reading “Power Struggle Killing Gaza Patients”