Palestinians urge leaders to unite government

THOUSANDS of people thronged squares in the Gaza Strip and West Bank to plead with their leaders to end the long-running feud that has divided the Palestinian people between two rival governments.

Demonstrators for each side hoisted banners urging their leaders to unite a government that split after Hamas militants seized control of Gaza in June 2007, leaving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of the Fatah Party ruling only the West Bank.

Reconciliation attempts have failed and yesterday’s marches seemed unlikely to bring the sides together as neither Fatah nor Hamas seem inclined to relinquish the power they have. But if the campaign gains strength, it could pressure the rival governments to restart talks.