PALESTINIAN FACTIONS BEGIN RECONCILIATION PROCESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000359

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA. NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2024
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: PALESTINIAN FACTIONS BEGIN RECONCILIATION PROCESS
IN CAIRO TALKS

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. The Palestinian factions, including Fatah
and Hamas, released a joint statement in Cairo February 26
following the opening of reconciliation talks. The statement
said that five committees will seek to complete this work
between March 10 and 30. Fatah and Hamas officials indicated
a willingness to compromise during the talks. End Summary.

FACTIONS TASK JOINT COMMITTEES TO
REFORM PALESTINIAN POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
--------------


2. (U) Following discussions between 13 Palestinian parties
in Cairo February 26, the factions released a statement in
which they agreed to begin work in five committees to achieve
a comprehensive Palestinian political reconciliation. There
will be a sixth, non-factional committee including Arab
League officials to oversee the work. The committees are
scheduled to reconvene on March 10 and take 20 days (until
March 30) to complete their work. The five committees and
their responsibilities are:


A. a committee for PA government formation, responsible for
determining the composition of a new, national unity
government (NUG);


B. a committee for PASF reform, responsible for restructuring
the security services into professional, non-factional
organizations;


C. a committee for PLO reform, responsible for reorganizing
the institutions of the PLO per the Cairo Agreement to
include all Palestinian factions;


D. a committee for PA elections, responsible for preparing to
hold presidential and PLC elections; and


E. a committee for internal reconciliation, responsible for
promoting a culture of tolerance, democracy, and mutual
acceptance among Palestinians.

The statement also said the factions have agreed to release
political detainees in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and cease
provocative media campaigns.

HAMAS OFFICIALS STAKE OUT POSITIONS
ON POLITICAL PLATFORM, RESISTANCE
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3. (U) Hamas officials said publicly that they hoped the
national dialogue would lead to real reconciliation and not
be used as a political tool by any faction. Gaza-based
"Prime Minister" Ismail Haniya called national unity a "top
priority." In a veiled reference to the Quartet conditions,
he said that Hamas would only accept a NUG that is not
subject to foreign pressure, and that the NUG must maintain
the Palestinians' "right to resist." He also said the
committees must reform the PLO "on a democratic basis" to
represent all Palestinians.

FATAH OFFICIALS ENCOURAGED BY HAMAS'S FLEXIBILITY
-------------- --------------


4. (C) Senior Fatah officials on February 26 told PolSpec
that Hamas demonstrated an encouraging flexibility in its
positions during the Cairo meeting. Former Fatah PLC member
Qaddura Faris said that Hamas officials signaled that they
are willing to make compromises with Fatah and other factions
in the interest of Palestinian national objectives. He said
the Cairo meeting initiated a "special momentum" that might
enable Fatah and Hamas to overcome obstacles that previously
prevented reform and cooperation. Fatah Revolutionary
Council (FRC) member Jibril Rajub said that Egyptian pressure
on Hamas could help neutralize Iran's influence in the Gaza
Strip, allowing the group some flexibility in its position
vis-a-vis Fatah.

COMMENT
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5. (C) In spite of the optimism expressed in public
statements, the March 30 deadline for completing
reconciliation and determining the composition of a new
government is ambitious. While conditions in Gaza put
pressure on both sides to cooperate, Fatah and Hamas have not
yet agreed on any details within this framework. PASF and
PLO reform are both long-term projects, even if details can
be decided within a month. As the factions discuss the new

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government's political platform, Fatah officials will be
anxious to understand USG views on a new unity government.
End Comment.

WALLES