Opinion - Editorials   

A shattered dream

The Palestinians find themselves in a situation quite similar to what they were in before Israel grabbed their territories in the 1967 war. The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are politically separated and the dream of a united sovereign state has been shattered. While Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has dissolved the national unity government formed in March and ordered fresh elections, these measures are not likely to have any effect. Hamas, which has taken complete control of the Gaza Strip, insists that its leader, Ismail Haniya, continues to be the Prime Minister. Mr. Abbas does not appear to have enough military power to stage a counter-coup and oust the Islamic militants from the areas they captured from the official security services. Although Israel supplied weapons and ammunition to Mr. Abbas's security services when the clashes broke out, it has now decided not to provide any more assistance. The Zionist state is not likely to extend transit rights for the Palestinian Authority to move forces from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. For the moment, Mr. Abbas and the Fatah can take some comfort from the fact that Hamas is not in a position to expand its domain. The Islamists have to keep a low profile in the West Bank, both because the secular nationalist forces are more powerful and Israel retains a strong military presence in this part of the Palestinian territory.

It appears unlikely that the situation can be retrieved at any time soon. There are signs that Egypt and Saudi Arabia are interested in mediating between the Fatah and Hamas. However, the political leaders of the two factions might not be able to rein in their fighters. While the Hamas militias believe that the Fatah-controlled security services have been serving as henchmen for Israel and the United States, Mr. Abbas's loyalists accuse the Islamists of acting as proxies for either Iran or fundamentalist terrorist groups. The fighting over the past few months has also been so vicious that reconciliation might not be easy. The divide could easily become more difficult to bridge if Israel and the U.S. proceed with their plan to bolster Mr. Abbas by easing conditions for the residents of the West Bank. Such a development could cause immense damage over the long term. If the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip is deprived of all resources, the 70 per cent of the residents who are classified as refugees would be put to great hardship. If that happens, the Islamist party would attract more adherents.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Ms. Patil and the Presidency
A shattered dream
Nuclear weapon-free world — a mirage?
Why India should cut carbon emissions
Little to celebrate at the birth of `Hamastan'
Corrections and Clarifications
Woman President
Telling cartoon
Helmet debate

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu