[Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News] Remember that "unity" government?

From Ma'an:

Hamas-affiliated parliament members in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday reactivated the coastal enclave's parliament, which had been suspended since a unity deal between Fatah and Hamas was agreed upon in April.

The convening of the session, which was attended exclusively by Hamas legislators, represents a major eruption of tensions within the Palestinian coalition government and presents yet another hurdle for officials trying to hold the agreement together.

Deputy speaker of the Gaza parliament Ahmad Bahar delivered a speech at the beginning of the session in which he warned of a possible "blowup" in the Gaza Strip as a result of the delay in reconstruction, the ongoing crippling Israeli siege, and the Palestinian Authority's failure to pay monthly salaries to civil servants employed under the former Hamas government.

Bahar also criticized the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas for his participation in the recent Paris rally against terrorism in his speech.

Abbas, he said, should have instead invited the world leaders to "confront Israel's terrorism."

The Fatah movement, on the other hand, considered the parliament session in Gaza a unilateral move by the Hamas bloc and a negative step back from reconciliation.

Fatah-affiliated lawmaker Faisal Abu Shahla told Ma'an reporter that holding a session without any of the other factions present indicates that "partnership according to Hamas means that Hamas can do whatever it wants and whenever it wants and all others should only be supportive."

Abu Shahla slammed the criticism against president Abbas at the parliament, adding: "President Abbas is an elected president, so how could he be attacked and accused at the Palestinian parliament!"

The "elected" Mahmoud Abbas just started the 11th year of his four year term.

I also love that Fatah is upset over "unilateral moves" and  accuses its opponent to "do whatever it wants and whenever it wants and all others should only be supportive." Hamas had a good teacher.

Meanwhile, Hamas is now blaming Abbas for the "siege" of Gaza!

Palestinian MP Fathi Hammad said Wednesday that the unity government and President Mahmoud Abbas are part of the siege on Gaza and an obstacle for reconstruction of the war-torn territory.

Hammad, a Hamas official, told Ma'an that the unity government must be held accountable for promising to hold elections within six months.

He also accused the unity government of failing to stand beside the people of Gaza and warned that the ongoing blockade could lead to a "popular explosion."

They sound like they are ready to accept the responsibilities of statehood, don't they?



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Posted By Elder of Ziyon to Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News at 1/16/2015 08:00:00 AM