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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visits a high school in Gaza City Thursday. (AP)
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| By Associated Press June 10, 2005 |
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Abbas met Thursday in Gaza with leaders of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian factions, trying to shore up a shaky cease-fire with Israel and solidify his standing in Gaza. He agreed to set up a "national commission" to oversee preparations for the Israeli pullout, giving his rivals formal standing in the operation -- reflecting distrust of his Palestinian Authority more than desires for unity.
While Israel demands that Abbas crack down on the militants and disarm them, the Palestinian leader prefers to co-opt his rivals through negotiations -- also an indication that Abbas does not wield enough power to deal with them otherwise.
As Abbas talked with leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza City on Thursday, not far away militant were firing rockets at Israel for the third day in a row. No casualties or damage were reported as two homemade Qassam rockets exploded near an Israeli village just outside Gaza, the military said.
The rocket and mortar fire, which provoked an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday, has shaken the truce, declared Feb. 8 at a summit between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
However, both the Palestinian Authority and Israel showed willingness to restore the calm. For Abbas, the truce is his main accomplishment since succeeding Yasser Arafat in January. Israel wants to complete its Gaza pullout as peacefully as possible.
Samir Mashharawi, a member of Abbas' Fatah party who participated in the meeting, said the Palestinian leader urged the militants to halt their attacks, even if they are responding to perceived Israeli truce violations.
"Abu Mazen asserted in his meeting with the factions that everyone must abide by the calm," said Mashharawi, referring to Abbas by his nickname.
He said Abbas agreed to form a "high national commission" with the militants to "coordinate and consult" over the Israeli withdrawal.
Representatives of the militant groups confirmed they agreed to join the commission, but indicated they don't trust Abbas' Palestinian Authority, known for corruption, to deal fairly with assets the Israelis are leaving behind. Islamic Jihad leader Nafez Azzam said, "We want as factions to be partners, to assure that everything is going the right way."
Corruption is a key factor in the parliamentary election campaign. Hamas, fielding candidates for the first time, expects to capitalize on voter disenchantment with Fatah rule. Abbas postponed the election, set for July 17, citing a disagreement over the election system. Hamas charged Abbas was playing for time to try to shore up his support and has threatened to walk out of the cease-fire in protest.
Abbas rejected an election law passed by his parliament, calling for three-quarters of the seats to be chosen from districts and the rest from party slates. Abbas wanted party slates only, but on Thursday accepted the formula agreed along with the truce _ half districts, half slates.
Mashharawi also said Abbas would present his compromise to the parliament. The Palestinian election commission has said it needs three months to prepare for the vote after the new law is approved.
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