Accord between Fatah and Hamas; Israel should be recognised

Palestinian sources have announced the signing, this evening, of a "Prisoners' Document" that implicitly recognises the Jewish state and calls for a cease-fire outside occupied territory.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – Agreement has been reached between Palestinian factions based on the "Prisoners' Document". This is a text drawn up by representatives of Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad detained in Israeli prisons. It calls for the constitution of a Palestinian state in Cisjordan and Gaza and therefore implicitly recognizes the State of Israel, the suspension of acts of war outside territories occupied in 1967 and the setting up of a national unity government. The announcement was made by Ibrahim Abu Najah, coordinator of the "Supreme Committee for National Dialogue", who said that this evening, representatives of Fatah, Hamas, Jihad and other Palestinian factions will meet the PNA President, Mahmoud Abbas and the Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, for a signing ceremony.

"All political groups are prepared for a mutual cease-fire with Israel," said Salah Zeidan, another negotiator. However, the Islamic Jihad has expressed reservations about some points of the agreement.

The details of the accord will be officially released tomorrow during a meeting with journalists.

Since agreement has been reached, the referendum called by President Abbas for the end of July is probably no longer necessary; the referendum was called to have popular consensus about the "Prisoners' Document for National Reconciliation".

The document underlines the role of the PLO as the "sole representative" of the Palestinian people and hence as responsible for negotiations. This should lead to the entry of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in the PLO.

• PALESTINE
• ISRAEL
• recognition
• Prisoners'
• Document
• freedom
• ceasefire
• fatah
• hamas
• jihad