Palestinian Unity Raises New Problems as It Solves Others

Internal Palestinian politics and their relations with world have been turbulent since the Islamist resistance group Hamas won a majority of parliamentary seats in January 2006. Rival groups Fatah and Hamas reached an agreement to be signed 4 May, calling for an interim government and elections within a year. The agreement does not detail long-held differences on statehood, peace talks with Israel, organization of security forces or financial aid from the West, explains David Miller writing for the Media Line and Jerusalem Post. The agreement suggests that Palestinians are more influenced by the promise of Arab self-rule after uprisings in neighboring countries than repeated warnings against such a deal from the US and Israel, both of which label Hamas as a terrorist organization. Israel claims it won’t discuss peace with Hamas. If intent on redemption, Hamas may abandon fruitless confrontation and seek to prove its political skills to the world by improving daily life for Palestinians. – YaleGlobal