For years, Palestinian factions have strived for unity, and for years unity has evaded them. Is it possible that following several failed attempts, Fatah and Hamas have finally found that elusive middle ground? And if they have done so, why, to what end, and at what cost?
On April 23, top Fatah and Hamas officials hammered out the final details of the Beach Refugee Camp agreement without any Arab mediation. All major grievances have purportedly been smoothed over, differences have been abridged and other sensitive issues have been referred to a specialized committee. One of these committees will be entrusted to incorporate Hamas and the Islamic Jihad into the fold of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
A rift lasting seven years has been healed, rejoiced some Arabic media. Israelis and their media were divided. Those close to right-wing parties decried Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas' betrayal of the "peace process." Others, mostly on the left, pointed the finger at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for pushing Abbas over the edge "into Hamas' arms" (the assessment of Zehava Galon, leader of the left-wing party Meretz).