Why Hamas, Fatah finally agreed to convene
The Palestinian Legislative Council held an emergency meeting in December, apparently the first to include Fatah members since 2007, but analysts are not optimistic that it will affect the political stalemate.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — What does it take to bring together legislators who have refused to meet officially for almost 10 years? Take away their immunity from prosecution.
Fatah and Hamas, the two main Palestinian political parties, have been unable to reach an agreement over a division of power since mid-2007. The Islamist Hamas movement controls the Gaza Strip, while Fatah rules the West Bank. Fatah parliament members have refused since the split to take part in any session held by the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).
But the PLC held an emergency meeting Dec. 21 that included several Fatah members to discuss Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision earlier in December to lift the diplomatic immunity of five Fatah parliament members. Those members are Shami al-Shami, Najat Abu Bakr, Jamal al-Tirawi, Nasser Jomaa and Mohammed Dahlan, who is Abbas' arch rival.
Abbas has accused all five men of arms trading, stealing public funds and committing defamation.
