Palestinian official: Fighting between Hamas, Fatah worst since 1994

Published: 2006-10-05

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- The lack of unity between Hamas and Fatah has led to a violent confrontation between the two factions, the worst outbreak of Palestinian infighting since 1994, said the Palestinian tourism minister. "For the time being there is no unity, so we still see these problems," Judeh Morkus said Oct. 2. Morkus, who condemned the violence, is a Catholic and political independent. "The politicians are trying their best to find a solution to the problem but ... every party is trying to find the best solution for (itself) and not for the country," he said. Morkus urged members of Fatah and Hamas to "think fully" about what has happened and to build unity. Morkus said that, unlike the politics in other Arab countries, in Palestinian politics a variety of viewpoints thrive, but instead of that making for lively dialogue the differences are leading to "military action." "We are still under occupation; that is the main issue we should think about," Morkus added. "This was a very bad and very ugly experience. I don't want the situation to deteriorate into a civil war between Palestinians."

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