Palestinians in Mobilization for Post-Arafat Period

The Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmet Quray and Chairman of Parliament Ruhi Fatuh went to Gaza yesterday (November 6) to hold a ‘security and unity summit’ with representatives of organizations including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Meeting also with Palestinian chiefs of security, Quray has taken measures to ensure that the peaceful atmosphere in the region would continue after Arafat’s death. It was thought that some Palestinian organizations might call for an armed uprising against Israel after Arafat’s death. The Palestinian Foreign Minister, Nebil Saat, said he hoped the meetings in Gaza, which have been postponed several times, could result in ‘a national unity government’.

Another meeting was held with the participation of organizations’ representatives in Ramallah. In his statement in Gaza, Qurey indicated that the problems should be solved with national dialogue, not with conflict. Former Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas chaired the meeting along with Qurey, which was attended by participants from 13 different organizations including the Palestine Public Salvation Army in Gaza, Al- Fetih and the Palestine Democratic Salvation Front. Hamas and Islamic Jihad also want to play roles in the post-Arafat period.

The Right to Speak

The Prime Minister Qurey met with Palestinian organizations yesterday (November 6) to prevent a new chaos after Arafat. The Palestinian organizations asked for the right to speak in any administration established after Arafat.