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Palestinian Reconciliation: Why The Delay?

Fatah and Hamas appear to have reached agreement on their outstanding issues but have postponed implementation, to allow current peace efforts with Israel to move forward.
Palestinians carry a giant Palestinian flag through central Ramallah during a rally to mark Nakba Day in the West Bank city of Ramallah May 15, 2013. Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank and at East Jerusalem on Wednesday during demonstrations to mark 65 years since what they call the Nakba (Catastrophe) when Israel's creation caused many to lose their homes and become refugees. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS ANNIVERSARY) - RTXZNF8

The news out of Cairo regarding Palestinian reconciliation efforts appears to be generally positive. The delegation headed by senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk and Fatah’s Azzam al-Ahmad met and agreed on a package deal that seems to address all the outstanding issues between the two parties. Statements issued in Cairo and published on the official websites of both groups are identical, which is a good sign. Details of the emerging agreement appear to indicate that the major outstanding tests needed for success have been passed:

  • The composition of a new national unity government should be agreed to within one to three months.
  • Once the composition of the government is resolved, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will issue a presidential decree to that effect and simultaneously present another calling for parliamentary and presidential elections in the West Bank and Gaza.
  • Hamas and Fatah delegations will meet to finalize agreements on an election law, the work of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and a mechanism for selecting a unified Palestinian National Council (PNC), the highest body within the Palestine Liberation Organization.
  • A meeting headed by the current PNC chairman, Salim Zanoun, will take place in Amman on May 21 to begin the final push toward agreement on the mechanism for choosing the members of the next PNC. This meeting is to conclude within two weeks.
  • Both sides agree to the role of Egypt as sole arbitrator for the reconciliation process.

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