Hamas tells Fatah ‘we are partners'

Palestinian MP Sheikh Ahmed Ali, a senior Hamas leader in the West Bank, delivered a speech to the Fatah conference and told them that “we are partners in the country and the Palestinian decision,” Safa news agency reported yesterday.

Ali delivered the speech on behalf of Hamas’ top leader Khalid Meshaal, and stressed that Hamas was ready to fulfil the “requirements of partnership” with Fatah and all the other Palestinian factions for the sake of Palestine’s interests.

Ali noted that Fatah’s conference is being held in exceptional circumstances that reflect on the Palestinian issue and the regional situation. “This increases our responsibilities,” he said.

Concluding his speech, he said: “We are partners in the country and in the Palestinian decision. We are ready for partnership with you, Fatah and all the other factions,” referring to the continuous efforts made for reaching an internal reconciliation.

This comes despite an ongoing and often vitriolic relationship between the two largest Palestinian factions since Hamas prevented a Fatah coup attempt in 2007 and forced the party out after gun battles raged in the Gaza Strip.