Palestinian split

The Palestinian unity government, formed a year ago, resigned on Wednesday as the rift between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank deepened during the recent days. It may be recalled that the two sides had gone their separate ways after the 2006 elections when Hamas won in the Gaza Strip and soon afterwards evicted all Fatah activists. Several attempts at reconciliation fell apart until last year when both groups agreed to form a unity "technocratic" government and to hold elections towards the end of last year. Unfortunately, neither the unity was to last nor elections could be held.
According to press reports, what brought about disintegration was the news of Hamas holding separate, indirect talks with Israel. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, of course, did not need to worry about Hamas going over his head to make some unsavoury deal with Tel Aviv. But when he heard of foreign envoys mediating talks he did not like to be by-passed. The subject of talks is said to have been ways to firm up an existing informal ceasefire agreement that ended the 50-day Israeli onslaught against Gaza in July-August 2014 that left 2131 (UN figures) to 2191 (Palestinian Centre for Human Rights number) Gazans dead and countless others maimed and injured. A show of unity would have made the Palestinians look better and stronger. It is not without significance that the Israeli government never lets an opportunity go by to try and create a wedge between Gaza and West Bank leadership. It has repeatedly been using the Palestinians' internal division to oppose peace talks. Benjamin Netanyahu had raised loud objections to the inclusion of Hamas even in the unity government. The outgoing unity government comprised 'technocrats' so Israel would have no excuse to reject negotiations with an authority that included Hamas's political representatives.
It is unfortunate that these groups find it difficult to get along at a time the international community is coming to the realization that Israel is unwilling to accept a negotiated two-state solution, and hence a string of European countries have either accorded formal recognition to Palestinian statehood or their parliaments have passed resolutions to pave the way for such action. The 'state of Palestine', as it is now referred to by the UN, also became a member of the International Criminal Court on April 1 of this year. At a time like this infighting can only damage Hamas and Fatah's common cause, and benefit only Israel. Both groups are as strong as they are united in dealing with the adversary. The good thing is that the split is not beyond patch up. Both sides have indicated interest in forming a new unity government. This time, if Hamas gets its way, it would include "all national and Islamic factions to face Israeli occupation." They would be wise instead to hold fresh elections, as agreed last year, letting a truly representative and self-confident government present a united front to the outside world.