The Palestinians just keep fighting among themselves

A good feature in today’s Ha’aretz: Are Fatah and Hamas on road to reconciliation?

It’s been two years since Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip, and it seems as if the breach between Gaza and the West Bank – or between what has been dubbed “Fatahland” and “Hamastan” – has never been wider.

There are more than 1000 Palestinians incarcerated for being Hamas or Fatah members in the wrong place. Since the conflict began, 2006 and 2007 marked the first times intra-Palestinian violence caused more deaths than Israeli actions.

The article also looks at a new angle though. Are the relations between the two brothers of Palestinian nationalism starting to get along?

On July 7 Cairo is hosting a meeting between Hamas and Fatah leaders and the Americans are trying to bring the Syrians off the bench by re-posting an ambassador to Damascus; both are crucial to putting the Palestinians’ welfare front and centre.

The article is doubtful it will work though, mostly because of the difference in opinions between the Damascus-based Hamas leadership and those based in Gaza.

It’s a good read to understand more about the background of intra-Palestinian political differences. I guess the only thing we can do is wait for the headlines on July 8.