Israel’s perfidy toward Abu Mazen led to Fatah-Hamas reconciliation deal

TEHRAN, Feb.20 (MNA) -- The recent deal between Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Fatah and acting president of the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas officials is regarded as a positive move by many analysts because it wrong-foots Israel. Given the huge risks of a rift between Palestinian groups, especially the fact that the Zionist regime could take advantage of such a situation, any reconciliation initiative, like the recent deal between Fatah and Hamas, should be welcomed. For many years, the Palestinian Authority was seeking to gain some concessions from the Zionist regime. However, all the efforts made by Mahmoud Abbas, who is also known as Abu Mazen, got nowhere and the Israelis continued to expand their settlements in the West Bank. The recent agreement between Fatah and Hamas shows that Abu Mazen has lost faith in the Israelis and their promises. This led him to shake hands with Hamas officials. However, the reconciliation can only succeed if Fatah stops being influenced by Israel and the United States. Otherwise, all the efforts made by regional mediators to reconcile the two rival groups will be ruined and Palestine will once again experience the bitter taste of discord. Fatah and Hamas are two parts of the great Palestinian nation and cooperation between them can strengthen the resistance front against Israel. The recent deal is mainly based on internal Palestinian issues and it makes no mention of recognition of Israel. However, the United States and Israel will surely use every means at their disposal, including economic and diplomatic sanctions, to undermine the reconciliation deal. The suspension of economic assistance to the Palestinian Authority and the application of pressure on regional governments to cut their economic support of the PA will be the main components of the two archenemies’ strategy to sow discord in Palestine.