HOLY LAND: SQUATTERS (PALESTINIANS - - - HAMAS v FATAH) FIGHTING AMONGST EACH OTHER

Gunfights break out between rival Hamas and Fatah groups in Gaza
Agencies

Gaza City: At least five Hamas militants were wounded when gunfights broke out between the two rival Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip in Tuesday.

The violence was prompted by the abductions of five Hamas members on Monday night. Four of the men were from Hamas’ armed wing and the other was from the "Executive Force" - Hamas' security force.

Fatah militants said the gunmen were taken for questioning because they were suspected of planning attacks. They were released hours later but their vehicles came under fire as they left the scene. At least two of the Hamas men were wounded.

Hamas’ nearly 6,000-strong Executive force was declared illegal by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah over the weekend, a move that inflamed the already high tension between the two groups.

Hamas vowed to double the Executive Force in retaliation to Abbas’ ruling.

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Rise Abu Ammar and look around you
By Sami Moubayed, Special to Gulf News

I don't usually write to the dead; that's not my business. I look around in Palestine today, however, and find that not a single Palestinian in power is worth addressing. All of them are doing great injustice to their cause, our cause and yours.

Forgive me for disturbing your peaceful slumber Mr President. I have bad news from Palestine. The mini-state that you proudly created in 1993 is finished. It's gone.

You left us in 2004 dreaming of the creation of the State of Palestine, with its capital in Occupied Jerusalem. More than ever, this seems unattainable today, because of the Palestinians, more so than the Israelis.

The man who succeeded you as president, your long time comrade Mahmoud Abbas, has led the Palestinians towards disaster and chaos.

Hamas, the party that troubled you, and was once fighting the Israelis, is now killing fellow Palestinians. There is civil war in Gaza and it is heading for the West Bank. These are not the same Palestinians who you constantly described as: "the superman people".

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Is this the Palestine you wanted Mr President?

Only solution

The only solution is for all of them to collectively resign. They have failed to lead post-Arafat Palestine.

Abbas should either live up to his duties as president and call for early elections or leave office to someone who is more competent.

By all accounts, his prime minister Esmail Haniya should go. Another solution to the present confrontation would be to give Hamas the benefit of the doubt, to give them what had Israel allowed Hamas to take over government, with its full responsibilities, this would have been a win-win scenario for everyone.

Everyone, that is, except for Fatah. The Palestinians would have been ruled by the leaders for whom they voted.

Hamas would have been firmly in control of government and Israel would have tamed one of its deadliest enemies. By letting it share power, treating it as a partner, showing it respect and giving it real duties, Israel could have forced Hamas to share responsibility. Hamas would have been unable to continue its war on Israel.

Sad is the situation in Palestine, Mr President. It would have been better if finer leaders were around, such as Farouk Al Qaddumi, who remains in Tunis and is at odds end with Abu Mazen, or Marwan Al Barghouti, who remains in an Israeli jail. Sadly for all their sacrifices, the Palestinians got nothing better than Mahmoud Abbas, Mohammad Al Dahlan and Esmail Haniya. Rest in peace Abu Ammar. It's good that you are not alive to see the circus in Palestine.


Pertinent Links:

1) Gunfights break out between rival Hamas and Fatah groups in Gaza

2) Rise Abu Ammar and look around you