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Source: http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/4253/abbas-hamas-reconciliation
What's Behind Abbas' Renewed Courtship of Hamas?
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - Now that PA President Mahmoud Abbas has surprised the U.S. and Israel with his decision to apply for Palestinian membership in 15 international institutions and treaties, he seems to be preparing another surprise: a unity agreement with Hamas. The current crisis in the peace talks has prompted many Palestinians, including Abbas loyalists, to renew calls for unity between Fatah and Hamas as a way of confronting Israeli-American pressure. The PA's message to Israel and the U.S. is: You either give us all that we are asking for or we will join forces with Hamas. Yet Hamas representatives say that Abbas' security forces are continuing their crackdown on Hamas supporters in the West Bank. Abbas knows that Hamas would take advantage of any reconciliation to advance its goal of seizing control over the West Bank.