Fatah sees the atmosphere of the Palestinian national dialogue under Egypt's sponsorship as positive

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Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath sources reported on Sunday that the Fatah movement believes that the atmosphere of the Palestinian national dialogue, which is being held under Egyptian sponsorship, is positive, in light of Cairo’s efforts to overcome obstacles to the launch of a comprehensive Palestinian national dialogue.

The sources added that the Hamas delegation discussed with the Fatah delegation the foundations of the national dialogue and the requirements for its success, as part of the efforts aimed at bringing the views of the two sides closer together.

The sources also indicated that the Fatah movement presented Hamas with a paper that included recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, in addition to emphasizing the principle of one weapon and one law.

In the same context, the Palestinian Fatah movement said on Sunday that the Cairo consultations pave the way for launching a comprehensive national dialogue by reaching understandings with Hamas and the rest of the factions, as part of efforts led by Egypt to end the division and unify the Palestinian political position.

Fatah spokesman Munther al-Hayek said, during radio statements, that the meetings conducted by the movement’s leadership with Hamas, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and representatives of the reformist movement come within preliminary consultations aimed at preparing the atmosphere for dialogue with the participation of the Palestinian factions.

Al-Hayek also explained that the Fatah delegation presented to Hamas the initiative of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which calls for ending the division and activating a central government that represents the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem, in addition to commitment to the program of the Palestine Liberation Organization, international legitimacy and international law, and the adoption of peaceful popular resistance.

He stated that the initiative aims to unify the Palestinian position and present a common political vision to the international community, in light of the developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He pointed out that Hamas was responsive to some of the proposals, but requested to return to its leadership and political office to discuss the rest of the items.

Meanwhile, Hayek stressed that the details of the points that are still under discussion will not be announced at the present time to avoid provoking disagreements in the media, stressing that the preliminary meetings do not represent an alternative to the comprehensive national dialogue, but rather aim to create the conditions for its holding.

As for the file of internal disputes in Fatah, Al-Hayek said that the movement is conducting contacts to address the dispute with the Democratic Reform Movement, which he described as part of the movement and not an independent faction. He explained that the discussions include the return of members of the movement to the ranks of the movement, while the mechanisms for return and restoration of organizational and functional positions are still under discussion.

For his part, Jibril Rajoub, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Fatah Movement, said that Egypt intends to send invitations to the Palestinian factions to participate in a national dialogue conference to be held in Cairo during the coming period, without setting a final date for it.

He said that the Fatah delegation held meetings in Cairo with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular and Democratic Fronts, in addition to representatives of the Democratic Reform Movement, to discuss ways to strengthen political partnership and mechanisms for ending the division.

Rajoub also explained that the consultations addressed the Palestinian political program, forms of national action, and the future of the political system, in addition to the mechanisms for holding legislative and presidential elections and the Palestinian National Council elections. He said that the meetings were characterized by a positive atmosphere, with continued discussion on issues that require consensus between the parties.

As for the elections, Rajoub stated that Fatah was preparing to run in the electoral process, but chose to give priority to the national dialogue in light of the existing obstacles and demands to hold consultations between the factions, stressing that the movement seeks to create conditions for holding the elections as soon as possible with national consensus.

Rajoub stressed that renewing the Palestinian political system requires consensus on the foundations of national partnership, unity of institutions and political representation, considering that addressing the division is not limited to holding meetings, but rather requires reaching implementable understandings.

These moves come in light of the continuing Palestinian division between the Fatah and Hamas movements since 2007, amid repeated Egyptian-sponsored efforts to reach national reconciliation and unify Palestinian institutions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.