Officials of the rival Fateh and Hamas movement held, Tuesday, a meeting in Gaza city, in an attempt to bridge the gaps between the two movements.The Maan News Agency has reported that Dr. Nabil Shaath, member of the Central Committee of the Fateh movement, and Legislator Faisal Abu Shahla, held a meeting with Imad Al-Alamy and Ghazi Hamas of Hamas.
Abu Shahla told Maan that the meeting focused on recent developments, and the obstacles that are hindering the formation of a unity government by July 14.
Abu Shahla added that Fateh believes in “building bridges of trust between the leaderships of the two movements”, and that the meeting also tackled recent political arrests and interrogation of Fateh members in Gaza.
Hamas also says that Palestinian security forces, dominated by Fateh in the West Bank, are ongoing with political arrests and interrogation of Hamas members and supporters.
In related news, Dr. Ahmad Bahar, deputy head of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), stated that the newly appointed government that will be formed in the West Bank, is unconstitutional.
Bahar was referring to the decision made by President Mahmoud Abbas appointing Dr. Rami Hamdallah as the new Prime Minister in the West Bank.
Bahar stated that the decision is unconstitutional, as it was not referred to the Legislative Council for a vote, and that the move hinders prospects of unity.
Yet, Yousef Rizqa, advisor to Ismail Haniyya, Prime Minister of the Hamas-led government in Gaza, reiterated the position of Hamas in rejecting the formation of a new government in the West Bank, but said that Hamdallah is a figure that could help in the efforts to achieve reconciliation and unity.
Rizqa said that Hamdallah, who served as the head of the Elections Committee, has the needed expertise and academic vision that might pave the road to forming a unity government.
