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The Palestinians: Split by Geography and Politics

[Economist-UK] The Palestinians are politically polarized between rival governments in Gaza and the West Bank that pursue radically opposed policies and that are economically dependent on the world's charity. Inside Gaza, the brief euphoria after last month's breach of the border with Egypt has dissipated. Hamas' leadership appears split between pragmatists, aware of the need to end their diplomatic isolation, and a stronger core of radicals who glory in posing as Muslim resistance heroes. Yet even the pragmatists shy from the kind of concessions - such as recognizing Israel - that might convince the world to grant them legitimacy. In the West Bank, Fatah's Mahmoud Abbas is surrounded by bickering, corruption-tainted aides, and faces a groundswell of opposition to what younger party members see as his overly soft negotiating strategy with Israel. "The trend that wants a return to resistance is very strong, and the world powers that support the peace process should be aware of this," says a junior Fatah leader in Ramallah, the Palestinian administrative center in the West Bank.
2008-02-22 01:00:00
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