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Source: http://www.bitterlemons.org/issue/isr1.php
Not the Time for a Palestinian Unity Government
[bitterlemons.org] Yossi Alpher - The emergence of a Palestinian unity government in the near future could be a disaster. A new unity government almost certainly means a formula for holding elections for the PA presidency and parliament no later than next January. As matters now stand, Hamas is liable to win those elections, since the Fatah party has been neither reformed nor rebuilt. Thus, a unity government could quickly confront Israel with the challenge of Hamas rule in the West Bank as well as Gaza. Furthermore, a Hamas-Fatah government is almost certain to mean serious backsliding in West Bank security. The entire successful restructuring of PA security forces under General Keith Dayton has been directed not only at restoring law and order but at sharply restricting Hamas activity in the West Bank. Is it conceivable that Hamas would agree that these tough anti-Hamas security measures continue when it constitutes half the PA government? Under current circumstances, it is better to have Israel and the PLO negotiating over the West Bank and Hamas contained inside Gaza, rather than to install Hamas rule in the West Bank as well as Gaza.