Palestinian factions strive for ‘national unity’ in Moscow

News Desk - The Cradle

The Palestinians have recently been discussing efforts for the formation of national unity government including both Fatah and Hamas

The Palestinian factions released a joint statement from Moscow on 1 March, thanking Russia’s leadership for hosting them on the second day of meetings aimed at reaching a “comprehensive national unity.”

“The Palestinian factions gathered in the city of Moscow express their thanks and appreciation to the Russian leadership for hosting their meetings and for its position in support of the Palestinian cause,” the factions wrote.

Present at the meeting were the Hamas movement, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) Fatah movement, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), PFLP General Command, and the Al-Saiqa organization, as well several others.

“They affirm, in light of the criminal Zionist aggression against our people, the positive and constructive spirit that prevailed at the meeting, and agreed that their meetings will continue in rounds,” the joint statement went on to say, adding that upcoming meetings are to be held soon. 
The statement called for a thwarting of Israeli attempts to displace Palestinians, whether in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, or the holy city of Jerusalem. It also called for an emphasis on the illegality of settlement expansion.

The factions called for efforts to lift the siege on Gaza and end the occupation of the West Bank.

They also stood by the goal of forcing Israel “to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and preventing attempts to establish its occupation or control over any part of the Gaza Strip under the pretext of buffer zones,” as called for in the Israeli prime minister’s recently unveiled plan for a post-war Gaza.

The statement completely rejects “any attempts to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, including Jerusalem, as part of efforts to rob the Palestinian people of their right to self-determination.”

On 16 February, Russia announced its invitation to the Palestinian factions for a national dialogue in Moscow.
It comes as the US, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar are working on a second truce and prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.

The Moscow meeting is the largest and most inclusive national dialogue between the Palestinian factions since the war began and comes just days after the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas, accepted the resignation of his prime minister’s government.

Discussions were recently held between the Palestinians for the formation of a national unity government consisting of both Fatah and Hamas, in line with efforts to end the Israeli war on Gaza and move towards a path of reconstruction and self-determination.

Israel remains insistent on eradicating Hamas and maintaining security control over post-war Gaza, complicating current truce efforts.