A landmark coalition government uniting rival factions took power on Saturday, vowing to end a year-long international boycott that has crippled the economy of the Palestinian territories.
The new government that unites the secular Fatah party with the Islamist Hamas movement seemed unlikely to meet international demands, however, as Prime Minister Ismail Haniya defiantly proclaimed the Palestinians’ right to resist against Israel.
The Jewish state immediately refused to have any contacts with the new government, which it said failed to meet any of the Quartet’s three conditions for acceptance — renounce violence, recognise Israel and honour past peace accords.
It called on the Quartet of Middle East mediators — the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia — to maintain a crippling aid freeze imposed on the Palestinian Authority one year ago after Hamas, responsible for scores of suicide bombings, took power after democratic elections.
But as the sanctions wreak havoc on the Palestinian economy, international resolve has begun to crack. Norway announced on Saturday it would now recognise the Fatah-Hamas government.
Haniya was alternately tough and conciliatory in his speech to Parliament, which was followed by a decisive 83-3 vote to approve the coalition, a landmark achievement after months of political wrangling and deadly street clashes that left scores dead.
Forty-one members of the 132-member Parliament are in Israeli prisons and another four were absent from the vote. Haniya himself did not vote.
The premier reached out to allay Western concerns as he called for a Palestinian state on lands Israel occupied in 1967, vowed to respect past peace accords signed with the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and assured Israel he would work to secure the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Haniya said his government would seek to expand a truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip, while leaving peace negotiations up to President Mahmoud Abbas.
Right to resistance
But Haniya also insisted on the Palestinians’ right to “all forms of resistance”, rejecting a key Quartet condition and openly contradicting Abbas who minutes earlier had rejected “all forms of violence”.
“Resistance in all its forms to the occupation is a legitimate right,” Haniya told lawmakers gathered in Gaza City and in Ramallah where they took part via video link because of Israeli travel bans.
The speeches by the two Palestinian leaders underscored the crucial differences the long-time rivals must still overcome if they are to avoid more of the internecine bloodletting that has ravaged the Palestinian territories in recent months.
Israel seized on Haniya’s call for resistance to denounce the government. “Israel will not recognise or work with this new government or with its members,” government spokesperson Miri Eisin said.
“Unfortunately, there is no recognition of Israel, there is no recognition of past accords with the Palestinian Authority, and not only is there no renunciation of terrorism, there is a clear call by the new prime minister to what he calls the right of resistance,” Eisin added.
Although Washington and Brussels have withheld judgement on the unity government, Israeli officials quietly fear some Quartet members will now end the aid freeze as the Palestinian economy continues to nosedive.
“We feel that the wind is beginning to change among certain European countries who seem ready to restart their aid, which would constitute a victory for Hamas,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
In addition to Norway, Russia and France have indicated a willingness to work with the Fatah-Hamas coalition.
International aid
The internationally respected incoming Finance Minister, Salam Fayyad, said on Saturday that the Palestinian government would not survive without international aid.
After the parliamentary vote, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said he was satisfied the unity government had taken sufficient steps toward meeting the international conditions for acceptance.
“On this basis, Norway will therefore resume political and economic relations with the Palestinian government,” he said in a statement.
Incoming Palestinian Foreign Minister Ziad Abu Amr, meanwhile, lashed out at Israel’s continued rejection of the unity government, the first Cabinet to include both Fatah and Hamas. “The Israeli government is weak and is running away from negotiations by clinging to old irrational positions,” Abu Amr said.
In the streets of Gaza, the government’s formation was welcomed, but Palestinians were looking for an effect on their daily lives.
Sadi Shurab (36), who works for the Palestinian Authority, said: “We hope this government … ends the chaos and the economic boycott. We hope it returns salaries to the government employees and provides work for the unemployed.”
And 21-year-old Abd al Wahab Salim said: “I am happy with the announcement of the unity government, but I don’t feel like partying … I want a life of dignity without fear.”
Incoming Interior Minister Hani al-Qawasmeh said: “The first mission for us … is to work immediately to provide security and stability in the Palestinain territories so that the citizen feels comfortable, safe and secure.” — AFP