What to Expect from a Hamas-Fatah Unity Government?

By Brigitte L. Nacos
It may well be that the unity deal struck by the leaders of Fatah and Hamas will bridge the differences between the two factions and thus prevent further civil strife in the Palestinian territories—for the time being. That is certainly good news for the suffering Palestinian population. What else can one expect from a new Hamas-Fatah government? As the Washington Post reports,  President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded up front that now the international aid boycott must be ended—although the new power sharing agreement does not fulfill the conditions set by the so-called quartet of Middle East negotiators (European Union, Russia, United States, and United Nations), namely, to renounce violence, embrace the existing peace agreements, and—most of all--recognize Israel. Without accepting these preconditions for lifting the sanctions, there is no reason for re-channeling aid to the Palestinian government and for bringing about a new start of a credible peace process.

According to reports, President Abbas reacted angrily when warned that the U.S. government would refuse any contact with a Palestinian unity government that did not meet the terms of the quartet. But how could he expect a different stance by the United States and the other members of the quartet although nothing really changed in the Palestinian governance. After all, Hamas will remain in the government without finally abandoning terrorism and recognizing Israel’s right to exist.

The international community, including the United States, must find ways to deliver sorely needed aid directly and very soon to the Palestinian population. Yet, to provide financial and other assistance to a Palestinian government coalition of a former and a present terrorist group without fundamentally new conditions would be just as problematic as unequivocal American support for the Iraqi government and especially the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces which are partially in bed with insurgent and terrorist groups.

Comments

[Brigitte]

Professor Lehman-Wilzig's point that the Palestinian people voted Hamas in is well taken. But many cast their votes in favor of Hamas in protest against the PA's corruption without giving Hamas a chance to win. For that reason, I believe that providing aid directly to the Palestinian people is the right thing to do. I also believe that instead of forming a Fatah-Hamas government, President Abbas should have scheduled new elections and given the Palestinian electorate a chance to vote Hamas out.

[Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig]

Both final points are well taken: the Palestinian people need aid; their present coalition government has not renounced terrorism nor recognized Israel and thus should not be helped until they do. Which of the two takes precedence? The latter for now, for the simple reason that this this government was democratically elected by the Palestinian people, meaning that they are responsible for the disaster this governement has brought on them. Until such time as they elect Hamas OUT of office, it is the Palestinian people themselves who do not recognize Israel and support terrorism etc., and not just some "misguided" leaders. The Palestinian people have to take responsibility for their own political (in)action -- if they do not get rid of this government, they do not deserve foreign aid.