Fatah-Hamas Accord can be more an Opportunity than an Obstacle
P resident Abbas' Fatah movement – the dominant group in the PLO and which governs parts of the West Bank – and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip announce d a unity agreement on 23 rd Apr. 2014 . The seven-year split between Fatah and Hamas aka the Islamic Resistance Movement has cut off Gaza and its 1.7 million people from the West Bank and e.g from negotiating efforts. The move envisions forming a unity government within five weeks, r esumption of Palestinian Legislative Council ( the parliament of the PA, was dissolved following the 2007 Hamas takeover of Gaza ) and holding national elections six months after a vote of confidence by the Palestinian parliament. Discussions would also continue about "general freedoms," includ ing the release of Fatah and Hamas prisoners held by the opposite party, the return of Fatah-affiliated public employees to Gaza. The Palestinians are fundamentally divided: Hamas, which represents about half of them, rejects any dialog...