Chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, says the Palestinian cause is the top priority for all the factions, referring to the imminent reconciliation agreement that is expected to mark the beginning of a new era in the perennial Israel-Palestine struggle.

“From my perspective, Palestine and Jerusalem are more important than all factions,” Erekat told Ahram Online, shortly ahead of the official signing of the reconciliation agreement.  “They are even more important than the Arab capitals.

“Israel wants the factions to stay divided at all costs to end the Palestinian cause … now the international community has to accredit the unity of the Palestinian community.”

On the other hand, Nabil Shaath, a top aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, underlined the importance of the reconciliation, saying it’s the only way to fight the Israeli occupation.

“Israel will do everything in its power to prevent this agreement from going through,” he told Ahram Online. “But we will fight Israel, too, to maintain our unity and cement the reconciliation.”

Knesset member Mohamed Baraka highlighted Egypt’s role in forming the reconciliation agreement, which he believes will be a pivotal “weapon” in Abbas’ hand.

“The new Egypt is regaining its status in every Arab and Palestinian’s heart … Israel is miserable with the current development,” he said to Ahram Online. “The policies of the [Egyptian] old regime and Palestinian leaders served Israel’s best interests, but that card has fallen now.”