Paul KeenanPalestinian unity government in place for papal visit
Palestinian factions, including the Islamist Hamas, will have formed a unity government by the time of Pope Francis’ May visit to the Holy Land, according to reports.
The Vatican is following developments closely since last week’s announcement that the Palestinian Authority’s ruling Fatah party has reconciled with the Hamas grouping towards a new and shared future for all Palestinians. An avowed enemy of the state of Israel, Hamas’ move on April 23 was denounced by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who pointedly accused Fatah’s leader, Mahmoud Abbas, of choosing “Hamas, not peace” and added that Israel will not negotiate with any group which includes Hamas.
“There are some groups, some movements and some organisations that you do not negotiate with,” Mr Netanyahu stated. “We don’t negotiate with Hamas, as long as they seek our destruction.”
While the reconciliation and formation of a new unity government will not affect the Pope’s May itinerary to Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, the development raises questions for the Vatican as to the figures who may be present as Pope Francis addresses Palestinian politicians in Bethlehem on May 25, and the reaction among Israelis to any potential meeting between Pontiff and Hamas.
Beyond the region, the European Union has offered its backing to the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, though Catherine Ashton, the EU’s High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy cautioned that this is on the basis of both groups upholding peaceful democratic principles.
Israel is not alone in fearing the ongoing activities of Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. Following the establishment of a new administration in Egypt with the ousting of The Muslim Brotherhood, a leaked document there revealed that that nation intended to work actively against the faction both within Egypt and in the Gaza Strip.