Two senior Hamas officials have moved to Syria in protest against their movement's decision to form a unity government with Fatah, Fatah legislator Jamal Tirawi said Monday. The two, Interior Minister Said Siam and Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, are said to be strongly opposed to the Mecca agreement that was reached last month between Fatah and Hamas.
If true, the report about the departure of the Hamas officials reflects deep divisions among the movement's top brass over the proposed unity government. "There is a split inside Hamas," Tirawi, who represents the Nablus district in the Palestinian Legislative Council, said. "Siam and Abu Zuhri, who have moved to Syria, represent the radical trend, while [Palestinian Authority Prime Minister] Ismail Haniyeh and [Hamas leader] Khaled Mashaal belong to the moderate side."
Tirawi said Fatah was also witnessing a power struggle, though it is of a different nature. "The rivalry in Fatah is between representatives of different generations," he said, referring to the long-standing power struggle between the old guard and young guard.
The divisions inside Fatah and Hamas were partially responsible for the delay in the formation of the PA unity government, sources close to the two parties said. "Haniyeh is not able to make decisive decisions because of the opposition he is facing from top Hamas leaders and activists, who don't want the partnership with Fatah," one source said. "Abbas, on the other hand, is facing many difficulties inside Fatah, where representatives of the young guard are demanding a larger role in power." |