Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

President Carter Happy for Palestinian Reconciliation, Ready to Monitor Elections

April 29, 2014


Carter and Haniya in Gaza, file

During a telephone conversation Haniya and Carter discuss Palestinian reconciliation agreement

[ 29/04/2014 - 10:52 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Palestinian premier Ismail Haniya on Monday evening discussed with former US president Jimmy Carter over the phone the recent Palestinian reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fat'h factions.

Premier Haniya urged Carter to play a role in the success of the reconciliation agreement, and expressed his appreciation for his previous efforts to end the Palestinian division.

The premier also called for overseeing the upcoming Palestinian elections by Carter center.

President Jimmy Carter, for his part, expressed his happiness for the Palestinian reconciliation and hailed Haniya for his political initiative and courage.

Carter pledged to make every effort to contribute to the success of the agreement and communicate with all concerned parties to support its execution.

He also expressed his willingness to monitor any coming elections.

Abu Marzouq: Hamas will not object to Hamdulla’s chairmanship of consensus gov’t

[ 29/04/2014 - 10:39 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Dr. Moussa Abu Marzouq, member of Hamas political bureau, said “Hamas has no objections whatsoever against (Ramallah premier) Rami Hamdulla’s, or any other figure’s presidency of the next consensus government”.

Abu Marzouq said during a meeting held on Monday by “Pal Think” Foundation for Strategic Studies in Gaza, attended by writers, political analysts, and businessman: “Hamas will not disapprove of any decision taken in favor of the unity government as long as it is kept within the boundaries of the recent reconciliation agreement.”

National Partnership According to Abu Marzouq, the projected unity government is not exclusive to any single person or party, not even (PA president) Mahmoud Abbas himself, as has always been agreed upon during the reconciliation meetings with Fatah.

“The division chapter has to be turned once and for all. No threats or pressures shall ever cast us down,” Abu Marzouk maintains.

Abu Marzouq attributed the failure of previous reconciliation agreements to the Israeli-American pressure. It is high time such encumbrances were brushed off by every means available.

As for the abortive previous community reconciliation attempts, Abu Marzouq thinks that the financial factor is what has really added fuel to fire. “The situation has been exacerbated by the 500 cases of blood money that should be paid, as well as the injuries and material damage that should be compensated."

“Arab sponsorship of the reconciliation project is quite urgently needed at this stage,” Abu Marzouq says. “Reconciliation negotiators have also come to an agreement over a compensation fund sponsored by Palestinian businessman.”

As stated by Abu Marzouq the Palestinian Legislative Council will also have a vital role in smoothing the progress of the reconciliation project, boosting the confidence of the consensus parties, and assisting the next presidential elections scheduled to be held six months after the formation of the consensus government. 

Abu Marzouq further stressed the interchangeable relationship that has historically tied the Egyptian and Palestinian nations. “Neither Palestinians nor Egyptians can turn their back on the deeply fraternal chords that have always brought us together. Regardless of who takes the chair, Palestine has and will forever remain part of Cairo’s socio-political priorities.”

Hamas leader closed his speech by urging the Egyptian authorities to re-open the Rafah crossing with no further delay especially after the expected formation of the national unity government and the presence of PA security forces along the border.

For his part, Hamas leader Dr. Salah Bardwil applauded Egypt’s decision to allow Abu Marzouq’s access into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing so as to partake in reconciliation talks held last week with a PLO delegation.

“This is a living proof of the historically profound bonds between Egypt and Palestine despite the ceaseless smear campaigns and ad hominem media conspiracies waged against Gaza and Hamas”, Bardwil confirms in a statement to Quds Press.

“We will take advantage of every single bit of our joint geo-political factors to turn the equation in our favor and tie up our historically fraternal bonds,” Bardwil further maintains.

Tunisian Ennahda Party hails Palestinian reconciliation

[ 29/04/2014 - 10:51 AM ]

TUNISIA, (PIC)--

Tunisian Ennahda Party hailed, during a statement on Monday, Hamas-Fatah unprecedented reconciliation project and called for a real execution of the terms of the agreement.

It said that implementation of reconciliation would restore the unity of the Palestinians and promote the establishment of an independent Palestinian state having Jerusalem as its capital.

During a meeting held in Tunis on Monday, Palestinian ambassador in Tunisia Salman Al-Harfi praised leader of Ennahda party Sheikh Rashed Ghannoushi’s efforts to uphold the Palestinian reconciliation project.

For his part, Ghannoushi confirmed Tunisia’s uncompromising rejection of normalization with Israel.

“This is a common denominator between all Tunisians,” Ghannoushi maintains in a statement issued by his office on Monday.

Egypt to open Rafah crossing for two days for travel of Gazans

[ 29/04/2014 - 10:26 AM ]

RAFAH, (PIC)--

The Egyptian authorities intend to open the Rafah border crossing for the travel of some Palestinian passengers on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Palestinian interior ministry in Gaza.

The interior ministry stated in a press release that some registered passengers, including patients and students, would be able to leave Gaza in accordance with the procedures at the crossing. 

The ministry called on all registered passengers to hand over their passport as soon as possible to the Palestinian authorities at Rafah crossing.

The Egyptian authorities have imposed restrictions on the travel of Palestinian passengers through the crossing since the military coup in July last year.

Since the beginning of the current year, the Egyptian authorities have opened the crossing intermittently for only12 days.