An arrangement between good enemies. The Palestinian factions reached an agreement, Tuesday, February 9, in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, which makes more credible the holding of legislative elections, presidential and to renew the leadership of the Organization for the Liberation of Palestine (PLO), announced for May, July and August. These polls would be the first since 2006 and the rift between President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah and Hamas. The Islamist movement, then surprised by its victory, unable to assume power, ended up entrenching itself in the Gaza Strip in 2007, taking full control.
Consistently failing to reconcile, the factions are now testing their good faith in advancing towards this ballot, while trying to reduce its potential for surprises. More than democracy, they speak of order. It is about rebuilding the common house, at the time of resuming dialogue with Washington, after four years of battering by the Trump administration. In Cairo, Fatah and Hamas pledged to respect the results of the ballot box, to exclude militias from polling stations, as well as to set up a “consensual electoral tribunal” to settle complaints. This engagement follows maneuvers by Mr. Abbas to place judges in his hand.
They also promise to respect “public freedoms”, in a campaign that promises to be highly controlled. As a pledge of good faith, political prisoners must be released on both sides. They profess, finally, that the elections will be held in East Jerusalem, the Arab part of the city annexed by Israel – already, they have asked the European Union to put pressure on the Jewish state not to not oppose it. “It is the first time that something can change in Palestine since 2006”, judged the independent negotiator Mustafa Barghouti before the meeting in Cairo.
Safety prism
What suggests that these elections are being held is age. That of Mr. Abbas, 85, who according to many observers now only cares about his heritage. He would be content to have reunited the territories, restored Palestinian unity, retained his domination over united Fatah, and re-established dialogue with Washington. Of course, the Palestinian state remains a distant moon, but Mr. Abbas will have prevented the building from being consumed.
It does not say that Hamas wants to shoulder the burden of power. A strong position in Parliament, without a majority, would guarantee it an influence
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