The Fateh movement welcomed the statements of President Mahmoud Abbas, head of the movement, in which he called for holding general and presidential elections in Palestine on January, 24, 2010.The movement said that this call is coherent with the modified basic Palestinian law which calls for parallel general and legislative elections every four years.
Fateh added that its members are in support of president Abbas, and that the elections are the democratic way of choosing the leadership.
The movement further said that the ballots are the voice of the people who will vote and choose their leadership.
The Hamas movement, the rival of Fateh, slammed Abbas’ decision and said that setting the date for elections without achieving unity would not serve the interests of the Palestinian people.
Hamas accused Abbas of trying to avoid the establishment of a unity government that includes all factions.
Hamas spokesperson, Sami Abu Zuhri, said that the decision of Abbas is a blow to unity and reconciliation efforts.
Yousef Rizqa, political advisor of the dissolved government in Gaza, said that Abbas’ decree is unconstitutional especially since Abbas’ term in office had officially ended.
Rizqa added that this decision buries the Egyptian efforts and its mediation for Palestinian unity.
