Geneva Initiative - Yes to an agreement - PPC-GI Seminar in Gaza calls for national Palestinian reconciliation

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PPC-GI Seminar in Gaza calls for national Palestinian reconciliation

Date: 15.02.2009

Gaza - The Palestinian Peace Coalition organized a Political seminar in the Gaza Strip entitled "2009: A Year of Tolerance & Partnership", where representatives of the National and Islamic Factions discussed the current Palestinian situation following the Israeli invasion on Gaza with dozens of intellectuals and community leaders. Speakers from different factions stressed the dire need to support the ongoing national reconciliation efforts under the auspices of Egypt.

In the seminar, attended by more than 80 public figures, the speakers showed optimism towards the possibility of putting an end to the state of division between Palestinians. They also warned of the consequences the rise of the Israeli right-wing in Israel may have on the Cairo dialogue - expected to start on February 22nd - to result in a national reconciliation.

Among the speakers were Mr. Yahya Rabah, a member of Fatah Revolutionary Council, Dr. Ahmed Yousef, political adviser to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (Hamas), Khalid Al Batsh, member of the Islamic Jihad political leadership, Saleh Nasser, member of the DFLP Central Committee, Talat Al Safadi, member of the Political Bureau of the Peoples Party, Salah Abu Rukba, member of the Political Bureau of the Arab Palestinian Front, Ibrahim Zaanin, head of the Arab Liberation Front, and the Palestinian writer and political analyst Mr. Talal Awkal.

The participants have stressed on several important points, including:

Rabah stressed the need to initiate a serious Palestinian-Palestinian dialogue in order to restore national unity, before negotiations with the Israeli side on the final status issues, stressing that if we want calm and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, we must restore unity.
Yousef also stressed the fact that the reconstruction is pending upon the reconciliation, calm and opening of passages. Yousef warned of the Israeli plans which aim to annex the Gaza Strip with Egypt and the West Bank with Jordan.
Al-Batsh emphasized the importance of ending the state of division that is causing a serious damage and separation among the Palestinians.
Saleh Nasser stressed the need for a compressive dialogue that leads to national unity, indicating that the prevailing climate allows for achieving unity and putting an end for the split.
Tal'at Al Safadi stated that the Palestinians are facing two central tasks, the first is the national liberation and achievement of the supreme national goals and the second is the social and democratic liberation by maintaining the political system, protecting the PLO and ensuring human rights and freedom of expression.
Talal Okal emphasized the need for reconciliation and achieving an agreement in Cairo, stressing that the Palestinians are putting considerable hopes on such initiative.

The seminar was broadcast by several TV stations and covered by Palestinian newspapers, as well as wires and news agencies.

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