Five Palestinian factions and civil society coalitions announced the founding of the Palestinian Democratic Group on Jan. 3, presenting itself as an alternative to Fatah and Hamas. As a potential third stream in Palestinian politics, the new group's founding document calls for opposition to the peace plan expected to be released by the United States, reconciliation among the Palestinians and concerted action to preserve democratic values and practices.
The new group consists of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), the Palestinian Democratic Union (FIDA) the People's Party and Al-Mubadara (Palestinian National Initiative). Among the civil society coalitions are the Palestinian Non-governmental Organizations Network (Al Shabkeh), Nationalists against the Split and a number of human rights organizations and others.