WEST BANK-BASED Fatah yesterday published a list of ministers in a new Palestinian Authority cabinet from which Hamas, the ruler of Gaza, is excluded.
If President Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah’s head, honours his pledge to swear in such a government by today, Hamas is likely to boycott Egyptian-brokered reconciliation talks set to reconvene in Cairo next week. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said such a move would be a “death certificate” for the reunification effort, and “deepen divisions”.
Promulgation of the list caused consternation in the West Bank and Gaza. Dr Ghassan Khatib, the legislator chosen as labour minister, told The Irish Times he and about half those named had not accepted portfolios. Key groups have refused to serve alongside Fatah and two minor factions.
“We are not against taking part in the government if it is set up as a political partnership, ” Dr Khatib said, after talks on a programme on with how to deal with Hamas, the new Israeli government and the Obama initiative.
“We are not comfortable with a government isolated from its context. We think [the government] should be formed after the meeting with Hamas.”
Mr Abbas seeks “freedom of manoeuvre”, since this government will have “no platform [commitment] on any political issue”, he said. He could not understand why Mr Abbas was in a hurry on the issue.
The appointment of a government before Mr Abbas meets Syrian president Bashar al-Assad tomorrow could sour relations between Ramallah, the Fatah-dominated Authority’s West Bank base, and Damascus. Syria is eager to see Fatah reconcile with Hamas.
Dr Khatib said Mr Abbas may want a government in place before he meets US president Barack Obama on May 28th. “But there is still time”, he said, to form a cabinet before then. He did not understand why Salam Fayyad, who is to be reinstated as premier, agreed to the move.
Since the overwhelming majority of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza demand reconciliation and a unity government, a narrow cabinet is unlikely to have credibility.
Dr Ziad Abu Amr, a member of the legislative council, said the Palestinians must reunite to hold elections for a new parliament and president, to reconstruct Gaza, to ensure stability in the West Bank, and to conduct negotiations with Israel.
