 Although it has been added to the US State Department's official list of foreign terrorist groups, the armed wing of the ruling Fatah party, Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, is planning to run in the next elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council. The group's decision is likely to embarrass Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is already under heavy pressure from Israel to prevent Hamas from participating in the vote.
| That's okay. He doesn't appear to feel shame like we do. |
Moreover, it is understood that the US and the European Union are opposed to the participation of Hamas and other terrorist groups in the elections. Abbas, according to some of his aides, is seriously considering postponing the parliamentary elections slated for next January because of ongoing anarchy in PA-ruled areas, and fears that Hamas would make a strong showing.
| Not if you give them the chance to hold a few more parades. Hold enough parades and there might not be any of them left. |
The Aqsa Brigades' decision is also seen as a challenge to Abbas and other veteran leaders by representatives of the young guard in Fatah. The militant group consists solely of young Fatah gunmen from the West Bank and Gaza Strip who are often critical of Abbas and Palestinian leaders who returned from Tunis after the signing of the Oslo Accords. The power struggle between the young guard and the old guard is seen by many Palestinians as a revolt by the grassroots activists against the rule of the Abu's – a reference to the nom de geurres used by Yasser Arafat and many of his lieutenants. |