Egyptian-sponsored meeting of Palestinian factions kicks off in New Alamein

Ahram Online , Sunday 30 Jul 2023

The meeting of Palestinian factions’ general secretaries, presided over by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, kicked off in the Egyptian city of New Alamein on Sunday.

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Delegations from various Palestinian factions came together for a closed-door meeting following an opening session.

The meeting seeks to address crucial developments in the Palestinian cause and seek ways to restore national unity amid significant challenges, Egypt's state-owned news agency MENA reported.

While delegations from Hamas, Fatah, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) are participating in the meeting, the Islamic Jihad Movement is boycotting the gathering.

Mohammed Al-Hindi, the movement’s deputy secretary-general, justified the boycott because of "the Palestinian Authority's refusal to release members of the movement in the West Bank, as well as the continued political arrests and pursuit of the resistance."

Both Fatah and Hamas said, in separate statements, that they are seeking to unify the Palestinian position and to reach a consensus on a unified national strategic plan to confront the occupation.

The PFLP said in a statement that it will call for the cancellation of the Oslo Accords and the obligations resulting from it, and the reconstitution of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) with all parties.

The meeting comes a day after the general secretaries of Palestinian factions and accompanying delegations held bilateral and collective preparatory discussions.

They emphasized the necessity of issuing resolutions to strengthen national cohesion and support the resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of daily aggressions by Israeli occupation forces and settlers against cities, villages, and refugee camps. 

The delegates also expressed their concerns over the Israeli government's crimes in Jerusalem.

Palestinian President Abbas is expected to present his vision centred around three main points, which include "recognition of international legitimacy, recognition of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and the adoption of peaceful popular resistance."

Abbas called for the meeting following the two-day Israeli incursion into Jenin and its refugee camp earlier in July, which resulted in the loss of 13 Palestinian lives and left over 100 others injured. 

The meeting also comes amid escalating tensions and ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians, in the West Bank, particularly in Jerusalem.

Egypt's role as a mediator and host for the gathering aims to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among Palestinian factions.

It also aims to foster a constructive dialogue that can pave the way for a just and lasting peace in the region, MENA said.

The attendees expressed their gratitude to Egypt for its continuous support and commitment to finding a peaceful and equitable resolution to the Palestinian issue.

The attendees also emphasized the significance of international support for the Palestinian cause, urging the international community to act on its responsibilities to uphold justice and human rights and implement international resolutions concerning the Palestinian question.

Egypt has hosted several meetings of the Palestinian factions over recent years in an attempt to end the internal division that began in 2007.

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