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Pressures Build Inside Fatah Ahead of Palestinian State Declaration
(Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Dror Bar-Yosef - The ongoing internal rift within Fatah is one of the reasons for the failure to renew talks with Israel. Parties within the movement accuse one another of corruption, collaboration with Israel and the U.S., and betrayal of Palestinian interests. Fatah members recognize Abbas' importance and international standing, without which their situation would be infinitely more difficult. Yet many do not support his leadership. Structural changes currently underway in Fatah are evidence of efforts by prominent members to play a larger role in strategic decisions, rather than leaving them only to Abbas. The success of this group could bring about major changes in Fatah policy, especially regarding the movement's attitude to Hamas and relations with Israel.