Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is allowing Hamas to hold a festival in commemoration of its 25th anniversary, showing a clearer willingness by Fatah to collaborate with Hamas, Israel National News reported, citing the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency.
The festival will take place in the city of Nablus in Samaria next Thursday under the slogan of “statehood and victory.” This collaboration is a break from the ongoing dispute between Fatah and Hamas. In the wake of the UN’s decision to grant “Palestine” the status of a non-member state, Abbas is expected to use the renewed partnership between Fatah and Hamas to show that the Palestinian Authority can lead a unified country.
However, Hamas continues to officially declare its aim of destroying Israel. This is contrary to Fatah’s stated goal of negotiating with Israel on borders and the status of Jerusalem, although Abbas has also said that any negotiations with Israel must be based on Israel’s acceptance of Fatah’s territorial and political demands.
