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Source: http://washingtoninstitute.org/templateC05.php?CID=2904
Reconciling with Hamas? Abbas' Hedge Against a Failed Peace Process
[Washington Institute for Near East Policy ] Mohammad Yaghi - On June 4, Mahmoud Abbas made a surprise call for dialogue with Hamas, abandoning demands for Hamas to return Gaza to its pre-June 2007 condition and apologize for its violent coup. However, a gulf remains between Hamas and Fatah, and it is unlikely that renewed dialogue can bridge the gap. Abbas' call should be viewed more as a hedging strategy against the prospect of a failed peace process rather than a well-formulated plan for Palestinian reconciliation. No doubt, he is using the possibility of dialogue with Hamas as a way to pressure the U.S. to increase its efforts. And if Abbas concludes that his legacy will not be defined by bringing peace with Israel, then he may turn his attention to restoring Palestinian unity.