The Fatah movement, headed by Chairman Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, has issued a statement stressing that in view of the American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the decisions of the Knesset and the Likud Central Committee regarding Jerusalem and communities beyond the 1949 Armistice Line, there is no choice but to make optimal use of the "Palestinian people" forces and to strengthen the "national unity".
Fatah also called on PA residents and the various organizations to unite around Abu Mazen's leadership in the campaign he is waging in defense of Jerusalem, "Palestinian rights and the basic national positions". Defining the current political situation as a "dangerous" historical stage, the statements demands all PA residents to "bear their historic responsibility" and rise above the Political agendas of the PA's organizations. On January 14, the Palestine Liberation Organization Central Council is due to convene to review the overall political process and relations with Israel and the United States. Representatives of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were invited to the meeting, where "historic" decisions are to be made.