Fatah got its money, and its prisoners are packing their bags as they prepare to be released by Israel. This all takes place under the pretense that Fatah is a “stand alone moderate group,” without any ties to or dialogue with Hamas. So what’s Fatah’s next logical step? Renew cooperation with Hamas.
“Fatah and Hamas Searching for Ways to Collaborate Again,” by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz for INN:
Despite the complete Hamas takeover of Gaza and the Fatah suppression of Hamas in Judea and Samaria, including heavy violence and mutual accusations of illegitimacy, the two Palestinian Authority terrorist organizations may be moving towards a renewed cooperation. This, according to IDF analysts, can be seen in the cessation of Fatah activity against Hamas in Judea and Samaria.
The intelligence assessment was presented on Tuesday to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee by Brigadier General Ronen Cohen of IDF Intelligence (known by its Hebrew acronym, AMAN).
“Despite the brutal process Gaza has gone through,” Brig. Gen. Cohen told the Knesset committee, “Hamas aspires to return to a dialogue with regional Arab states, such as Egypt and Syria, as well as with [PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas].”
For his part, Abbas seems to have ceased anti-Hamas efforts in areas still under his control, Cohen reported: “The Palestinian Authority acted during the first few days [after the Hamas coup in Gaza] against the Hamas in Judea and Samaria. That activity has declined in recent days, until we see no further activity in that direction.”
Chief of Staff Ashkenazi added his own comments during the intelligence briefing, saying, “Over time, a situation of dialogue between Abu Mazen [Abbas] and [Hamas’s Damascus-based chief Khaled] Mashaal will develop, with the two organizations finding a way to maintain contact, as they have a common national interest.”
The West and Israel get duped again. For the gazillionth time, Abbas has prepared his dinner using the same old recipe. An international summit somewhere in Egypt is the forum to cry poverty, oppression and occupation. Israel and the West do not miss the opportunity to participate in yet another photo-op. Boycotts are lifted and millions are transferred.
Abbas may be the guest of honor at the feast, but Hamas will still get its share. And a fat one at that.