On May 4, The Palestinian Peace Coalition-GI organized a political workshop in Gaza City calling for an end of the Palestinian political split. The workshop was organized in cooperation with Swedish organization Olaf Palme as part of the “Peace at Home” program.

Date: 4.05.2009

Among the speakers in the workshop were Dr. Mkheimar Abu Sa’dah, Professor of Political Science at Al-Azhar University, Dr. Khaled Ssafi, Professor of History at Al-Aqsa University and Mr. Hani Habib, Analyst and Media expert. The workshop was attended by 50 academics, political figures and representatives of civil society organizations.

“The National Dialog will not Stop”
Mr. Abu Sa’dah said he expects that the Palestinian national dialog will continue until the end of the year. However, the Gaza academic couldn't’t anticipate the result of the dialog adding that by the end of 2009, the Palestinians will either go to parliamentary and presidential elections or to an extension of the current parliament period as required by Hamas.
Mr. Abu Sa’dah warned both major Palestinian parties Hamas and Fatah that ignoring the public demands to end the political division will cost them highly in any upcoming elections and will make them lose their support and popularity.
He further stressed that the Palestinian people are expecting seriousness in the current rounds of dialog to build a true partnership between the various Palestinian factions.

“We Need to Rebuild the Palestinian Political Structure”
Dr. Ssafi stressed that ending the Palestinian political split is an essential step towards rebuilding the Palestinian political structure and to confront the Israeli settlement expansion and annexation of Jerusalem.
He added that Israel’s goal is to change the status quo on the ground in an attempt to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
Dr. Ssafi further criticized Hamas for not recognizing previous agreements signed by PLO adding that the current political division is also harming the social fabric and the entire Palestinian struggle for independence.

“Failure of National Dialog is a Catastrophe”
Mr. Habib stressed that the failure of the national dialog will have catastrophic consequences for the Palestinian people. He added that the Palestinian people have lost confidence in its leadership and that the current state of division will lead to the loss of all options available to end occupation and reach peace.
Furthermore, Mr. Habib criticized the absence of a public Palestinian pressure on the Palestinian leadership and the factions adding that the people are the suffering because of the lack of responsibility, which is keeping the current internal political split unresolved.

“Unity is a National Responsibility “
PPC representative in Gaza, Mr. Saleem Al-Hindi, called for an immediate end for the Palestinian political split stressing that ending the division is a national responsibility of all factions and civil society organizations.
He added that achieving a state of national unity should be based on common background, program and agendas.