Palestinian hopes rise over coalition deal

PALESTINIAN President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh yesterday agreed that Fatah and Hamas would form a coalition government — a move that the Palestinians hope could lead to the easing of crippling international sanctions.

The compromise breakthrough, which falls short of international demands that Hamas fully renounce violence, could pave the way for renewed contacts between Israel and the Palestinian government.

Israeli officials voiced cautious support for the deal.

Hamas, which is committed to Israel’s destruction, swept to victory in January’s legislative elections, defeating Fatah, and formed a government by itself.

The West and Israel have been withholding hundreds of millions of euro from the Hamas-led government because of the group’s refusal to disarm, recognise Israel or accept existing peace agreements.

Hamas and Fatah have been negotiating for months to form such a coalition. Mr Abbas interrupted a meeting with Mr Haniyeh yesterday to invite Palestinian media to hear his announcement.

“The continuous efforts to form a national unity government have ended successfully with the announcement of a political program for this government,” Mr Abbas told Palestinian television and the official WAFA news agency.

“Efforts in the next few days will continue to complete the formation of the national unity government.

“The national interest requires that all our people unite to head in stable steps, so we can achieve victory by establishing our independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Mr Abbas said.

Mr Haniyeh, who earlier in the day said he would retain his post under a government of unity, confirmed that the two parties planned to rule together.

“I bring good news to the Palestinian people and I feel proud and content that, at this important moment, we have established a national coalition government,” Mr Haniyeh said.

Palestinian politician Saeb Erekat, who is close to Mr Abbas, said final details had to be ironed out.

Those details will help to decide whether the new government, if formed, wins the recognition that the international community has so far denied the Hamas-only government.

Abbas aide Nabil Abu Rdeneh said the president would dissolve the existing government within 48 hours to pave the way for the coalition.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Israel hoped any future Palestinian government would accept international demands and facilitate the release of an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas-linked militants more than two months ago.