With September fast approaching and a potential vote on Palestinian Statehood in the U.N. General Assembly, a Palestinian unity government was being planned to take the fractured Palestinian Polity into the future. First there was to be a "Government of Technocrats", a moderate government to take this polity and put it on the path of responsible self government. After that (formed in June), should negotiations with Israel for an end to the lands taken in the 1967 Six Day War not be realized, the Palestinians were going to submit an application for Statehood and membership to the United Nations in September.
The World has firmly shown itself to be behind this move in the U.N. However, the West (the U.S. and E.U.) have shown concern due to the involvement of Hamas in the new unity government. Western support for this is important due to the vast financial resources that the West wields. Should the new Palestinian Government be too responsive to Hamas' demands then they risk an end to much needed financing for their new nation.
The figure that has the Wests' confidence is Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad and the one person that Hamas does not want to see in the PM office is Salam Fayyad.
Last week, Fayyad was nominated by Fatah to head Palestinian unity government
The Fatah movement nominated Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to head a transitional Palestinian government Saturday as part of a unity deal with their rivals in the Islamic militant group Hamas.
The nomination of the economist could ease Western concerns over the reconciliation deal, which offers Hamas an equal say in the administration that will govern until elections next year.
But the nomination could complicate the efforts of Hamas and Fatah negotiators already struggling to implement the details of the agreement.
Fayyad, a political independent, has used his term to build and strengthen state institutions and has won the respect of foreign donors. But Hamas considers him a tool of the West.
Apparently as the Haaretz article speculated, Hamas was none too pleased. Palestine's Maan News reported yesterday that Hamas was saying: No role for Fayyad in unity govt
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hamas on Sunday rejected Fatah's proposal to appoint Salam Fayyad to head the new unity government, said senior Hamas leader Salah Al-Bardawil.
"Hamas will not agree on Salam Fayyad as a prime minister, or even a minister in the upcoming unity government," Al-Bardawil said in a statement.
Fatah's central committee selected Fayyad, who currently leads the Palestinian Authority, as the party's candidate to head an interim government of independents, a senior party official told AFP.
Al-Bardawil said he was uncomfortable dealing with "leaked reports," adding that it was "doubtless that we will never accept Fayyad as prime minister or as minister.
Mr. Fayyad the P.A.'s Prime Minister since 2007 (disputed by Hamas), enjoys broad support in the international community and is seen by the E.U. and the U.S. (and even Israel) as someone who could bring a "responsible" governance to the fractious Palestinian Polity. However, while he enjoys great support abroad, he is not particularly well liked by the majority in his own polity.
YET.. as this Haaretz artcle mentions:
Last month, Fatah and Hamas signed a deal in Egypt to end their rift and join together in a caretaker government. But implementation of the power-sharing deal has moved slowly.
Fearing international pressure on Hamas could jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars in international aid, they have committed to putting together a Cabinet comprised entirely of apolitical technocrats. It remains unclear when they will be able to agree upon a slate of Cabinet ministers that is acceptable to the international community.
Indeed, there are millions if not billions of dollars in aid and practical needs for the fledgling Palestinian State riding on this. Whether Fayyad is Prime Minister would most likely NOT affect the vote in the General Assembly which is expected to overwhelmingly support the motion (should it get to the U.N.). However, what this could do is affect much needed foreign aid aside from negatively affecting realties on the ground for the Palestinian Polity. Their economy as it currently stands is largely dependent on foreign aid and right now the only ones who can seemingly continue this is the West.
So what's the next step? According to Hamas the next Prime Minister is to come from Gaza. Is this a final point or is this a mere negotiating point to be discussed at the meeting scheduled for tomorrow in Cairo?
Please add your thoughts.