Joining the PLO more beneficial for Hamas 'than anyone else', says Fatah spokesman

'Factions cannot lead Palestinians', Abdul Fattah Al Dawleh told The National

An occupied West Bank barrier with murals of Imprisoned Palestinian activist Marwan Barghouti and former president Yasser Arafat, on the separation wall at the Qalandia checkpoint, between Jerusalem and Ramallah. Photo: Reel PalestineShow less

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Joining the Palestinian Liberation Organisation would be a positive move for Hamas and open the door for the group to become enmeshed in the Palestinian political scene, Fatah spokesman Abdul Fattah Al Dawleh told The National.

Rival Palestinian parties Fatah and Hamas have been engaging in talks in Cairo, Beijing and Moscow over the past year in an attempt to reach unity for the first time in 18 years. The divide occurred when Islamist Hamas banished the secular Fatah, led by the PLO chairman, President Mahmoud Abbas, from Gaza in 2007 after Hamas won parliamentary elections. Now, after more than a year of war in which Israel has destroyed much of Gaza and killed more than 44,800 people, the group stands to gain from joining with Fatah in deciding a future for the Palestinian people.

“It adds to Hamas more than anyone else because it makes it part of the political process and allows it to get political cover,” said Mr Dawleh. The group, which has always staunchly rejected the PLO's legitimacy as the representative of Palestinians abroad, has recently become more flexible in its stance, he said.

“We hope to reach that moment where we see a change of heart soon and there are positive changes in the rhetoric, but we're not hearing it from all commanders.”

The Palestinian Authority has long been viewed as corrupt and distrusted by many Palestinians. The group, a newer organisation which has overshadowed the PLO and is supposed to be responsible for most of the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip has recently been under scrutiny for creating a technocratic government.

When asked by The National why it would take the killing of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza for such changes to be made for the first time in more than a decade, Mr Dawleh said the “genocide” has made it clear that “factions cannot lead Palestinians”.

“A faction will only think about its own people and their interests and not the broader future of the Palestinian cause. It will be alone in confronting (Israel) and will not have the public cover that it needs,” he said.

Talks between rivals Hamas and Fatah have been under way in Cairo for the postwar administration of Gaza through the creation of a committee made up of members from across party lines in Palestine. Progress is being made towards Palestinian unity, Mr Dawleh said, although issues from the past 18 years remain.

“Until now, however, we have not reached the moment where we can turn the page over division.”

Mr Dawleh also said that the new government has been formed to “respond to challenges” from the international community and not give “leeway” for accusations of fractionalisation aimed at the Palestinian Authority.

The US is one of several state actors, including the UAE, advocating for the reform of the Palestinian Authority. Mr Dawleh said the step is necessary so long as it does not intervene with “constants” like demands for a Palestinian state.

“Not everything is perfect within state institutions, and faults have to be fixed, youth have to be more involved and we're open to this. There is an ongoing reform plan,” Mr Dawleh said.

“But politically, those who want the reforms to include leadership that makes major concessions on existential issues – we will not allow this.”

The US blocked a bid for Palestine to become a full member of the UN earlier this year and in November vetoed, for the fourth time, a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution for Gaza.

Marwan Barghouti is in an Israeli prison, but his wife registered the new 'Freedom' list. Reuters

Part of the ceasefire deal being negotiated by Hamas and Israel through mediators includes the release of Palestinian prisoners, including prominent figure Marwan Barghouti who was a public favourite as successor for Mr Abbas in potential elections.

Mr Dawleh acknowledged that he would be fit for such a job.

“He is loved by all, and a personality that is popular and capable to becoming a great leader for the Palestinians,” the official said.

Mr Dawleh, however, said that whether Mr Barghouti is let out after serving more than 20 years in jail depends on how unwavering Hamas is in its demands.

“At the beginning of the war, Hamas was calling for the complete emptying of Israeli prisons from Palestinian detainees. This demand has now been watered down to the release of a list of prisoners – because of how severe and brutal the ongoing genocide is in Gaza and the toll it has taken on the people,” Mr Dawleh said.

“It's important to see him free and among us.”