The decision by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to normalize relations with Israel has prompted an internal political realignment in the Palestinian territories, especially in the West Bank.
The two gulf countries' decision to turn away from the Arab Peace Initiative has brought Hamas and Fatah closer than ever to each other, at least for now, and has increased the chances of general Palestinian elections. At the same time, it has increased tensions within the ruling Fatah movement. Supporters of exiled Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan appears to be taking the brunt of the Fatah leadership's anger.