The Hamas terror organization insists on retaining control over the Interior and Finance Ministries and also refuses to allow Fatah to control the education, health, welfare and religious affairs portfolios.
The Interior Ministry controls the PA security forces. Hamas is demanding to be a full partner in the PA National Security Council as well as share in the appointment of governors and ambassadors, which until now was controlled by Fatah.
Numerous heads of state, including those of a number of Arab countries, have worked hard to encourage Hamas chairman and PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to agree to a coalition government which would also meet the demands of the Quartet. The demands by Russia, the United States, European Union and United Nations include recognition of Israel’s right to exist, renouncing violence and upholding peace agreements signed by the previous PA government led by Fatah leader and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
International funds dried up when Hamas won the elections in January due to its unwillingness to meet the demands of the Quartet, leaving thousands of civil workers without their salaries for months at a time.
Members of both factions took their battle for control of the government to the streets of Gaza, where bloody clashes escalated until the leaders of both factions agreed to form a unity government.
Numerous international leaders have met with Haniyeh and other Hamas officials to point out to the terror group the numerous benefits involved. Such an agreement would pave the way for renewed diplomatic contacts and unfreeze the flow of funds to the cash-strapped PA.
Nonetheless, Hamas has refused to budge on any of the issues, and has now added more stumbling blocks, making it unlikely that a unity government will be formed in the near future.
Abbas is meeting with representatives of the various Palestinian factions in a bid to salvage the negotiations.
The Interior Ministry controls the PA security forces. Hamas is demanding to be a full partner in the PA National Security Council as well as share in the appointment of governors and ambassadors, which until now was controlled by Fatah.
Numerous heads of state, including those of a number of Arab countries, have worked hard to encourage Hamas chairman and PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to agree to a coalition government which would also meet the demands of the Quartet. The demands by Russia, the United States, European Union and United Nations include recognition of Israel’s right to exist, renouncing violence and upholding peace agreements signed by the previous PA government led by Fatah leader and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
International funds dried up when Hamas won the elections in January due to its unwillingness to meet the demands of the Quartet, leaving thousands of civil workers without their salaries for months at a time.
Members of both factions took their battle for control of the government to the streets of Gaza, where bloody clashes escalated until the leaders of both factions agreed to form a unity government.
Numerous international leaders have met with Haniyeh and other Hamas officials to point out to the terror group the numerous benefits involved. Such an agreement would pave the way for renewed diplomatic contacts and unfreeze the flow of funds to the cash-strapped PA.
Nonetheless, Hamas has refused to budge on any of the issues, and has now added more stumbling blocks, making it unlikely that a unity government will be formed in the near future.
Abbas is meeting with representatives of the various Palestinian factions in a bid to salvage the negotiations.