Palestinians rally in Gaza and Hebron calling for national reconcilliation

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Date: 26 / 03 / 2008 Time: 17:54


(Ma'anImages)
Hebron – Gaza – Ma'an – Tens of thousands of Palestinians staged rallies in Gaza City and the West Bank city of Hebron on Wednesday calling for national reconciliation between bitter political rivals Fatah and Hamas.

The rally in Gaza was organized by the Palestinian Popular Campaign for National Reconciliation. Coordinator Abdul Mun'im Tahrawi said the rally had three goals. First was to demonstrate that the Palestinian people can bring about change in the internal political rivalry. Second was to send a message to all political factions that the Palestinian people have chosen reconciliation. Third was to urge the participants in this week's Arab summit in Damascus that the Palestinian issue must be included in the agenda.

Meanwhile, crowds of people in Hebron participated in a march from Al-Quds Open University to the city's Al-Manara Square. Several prominent Palestinian leaders representing different factions and Islamic forces took part in the rally. Palestinian flags were raised and participants shouted slogans calling for national unity.

http://maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=28505

[azurnoir]

1. Reconcilliation must happen

and soon forr any progress to happen, as things stand opponents can continuously play one side against the other as was shown earlier this month, which is why they so oppose this.

[Vegasaurus]

2. No question that they need to get their own house in order

since the two groups can't agree on a single thing, and their future state, if they ever want one, is going to need to be ruled by something other than rival gangs.

[hifalutin]

3. If they can't

even get along with each other, how can they be expected to 'get along' with the Israelis?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

4. I'm curious as to what you guys see as the barrier to reconciliation? nt

[azurnoir]

5. From the left hand

the major impediment(s) to reconciliation have been Israel and the US, who at least until very recently has made threats to "cut off" peace talks and money when ever Abbas has made any noise about talking to Hamas, even as far Abbas making condolences to a Hamas leader who's son had been killed.