Gaza Government Reshuffle

Hamas govt. prepares to reshuffle cabinet

Ashraf Shannon, Press TV, Gaza
Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:13PM

The Hamas movement has been meeting with national forces and independent figures in the Gaza Strip to discuss a cabinet reshuffle in the Palestinian government in Gaza.

Hamas says that the move falls within their conviction that all national forces should participate in the government for the sake of national unity.

Hamas Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, has formed a committee to meet with national and Islamic factions to invite them to join the Hamas-led reshuffled government within this week.

The Islamic Jihad Movement has said that it will not join the government and the popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), who is a member of the PLO, has rebuffed Hamas's intentions, stating that any new government should only be formed by holding new elections.

The al-Ahrar movement has welcomed the planned reshuffle and called on other factions to join in.

The United States, the EU, and Israel have not officially recognized the Hamas government, but they do support acting Palestinian chief Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's government in the West Bank which sparked criticism among many who believe no peace would endure without recognizing Hamas.

The Fatah movement has slammed the government reshuffle calling any new government invalid. Members of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), chaired by acting Palestinian chief Mahmoud Abbas, have been invited to join the new reshuffled government. However, Analysts believe that only factions who are not members of the PLO are likely to join the Hamas government.

After the rift between Fatah and Hamas in 2007, there have been two governments in the West Bank and Gaza, and since then, all efforts of reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah have so far failed. The growing support for Hamas was evident during its 23rd anniversary celebration.

Hamas who was democratically elected in 2006 says that the reshuffle is a step forward toward reconciliation and national unity.

Gaza Government Reshuffle:

"PressTVGlobalNews | December 31, 2010

The Hamas movement has been meeting with national forces and national forces in the Gaza Strip to discuss the national forces in the Palestinian government in Gaza.

Hamas says that the move falls within their conviction that all national forces should participate in the government for the sake of national unity.

Press TV's Ashraf Shannon reporting from Gaza



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