November 12th, 2009 by Jason

The International Crisis Group has released a new report, entitled “Palestine: Salvaging Fatah.”  According to the ICG, “the 50-year-old movement, once the beating heart of  Palestinian nationalism, is past its prime, its capacity to mobilise withered.” Given the necessity of a strong national movement, Fatah must revitalize itself by defining a new agenda and then determine how to carry it out and with whom.

The report elucidates on Fatah’s historical decay before moving on to suggest future action. The ICG urges Fatah to answer three fundamental questions: Will it devise a strategy of non-violent, popular resistance to Israel? Will Fatah continue to work as part of the PA or focus primarily on liberation? Is national unity a priority and at what cost should Fatah reconcile with Hamas?

The report concludes that “a leadership equipped with a clearer vision, more democratic and more attuned to popular sentiment, could limit negotiator’s flexibility and capacity for concessions. It also would be more credible, legitimate and capable of carrying its constituency.”

Posted in Diplomacy, Hamas, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, US foreign policy |