Palestine: Gazan Youth Promote National Reconciliation

Young, educated, and tech-savvy activists in Gaza are helping organize the self-named March 15 movement seeking to promote Palestinian national reconciliation between the rival Hamas-Fatah. On March 15th, youth activists protesting in Gaza City clashed violently with Hamas police who attacked protesters on motorbikes.  One of the activists, Asma al-Ghoul, a local feminist and journalist in Gaza City, says that the “fear inside the people”  is dissipating.  As the movement begins to gain momentum she says she no longer feels alone.    March 15 activists say that ultimately, they are seeking an end to Israeli occupation but see reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah as a necessary prerequisite.   One of the movement leaders, nicknamed Abu Yazan, also reiterated that most Palestinians in Gaza were looking for a peaceful way to end the occupation and oppose Hamas’ missile launches at Israel.  Members of the movement have met with Hamas officials to discuss their greivances but have received mixed messages.  While some officials have expressed sympathy for the activists, Hamas has stated it will not tolerate protests in the strip.  Says Ebaa Rezeq, another March 15 activist:  “We have started something and we are not finished.  We are fighting for a cause, not for a movement.”