PCOM Values Hamas Steps Towards Unity

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia (PCOM) today applauded the Islamic Resistance Movement’s (Hamas) decision to dissolve the Gaza administrative committee as a positive move to end the Palestinian disunity. “We welcome these signs of goodwill and look forward to witnessing an integral decision by President Mahmoud Abbas to end the internal discord which is a significant prerequisite to achieve the Palestinian aspirations and goals of liberation and independence,” the Malaysia-based organisation said in a statement issued here. PCOM added that continuous internal dispute would only serve the interests of the Israeli occupiers accused of provoking the dispute to pave the way for more expansive and aggressive policies and actions while the Palestinians meant to entangle with internal affairs. According to PCOM, Hamas issued a statement last Sunday to announce its decision to dissolve the Gaza administrative committee and its invitation to the Palestinian government to immediately carry out its duties in the Gaza Strip, which is currently governed by Hamas. Hamas also expressed its willingness to hold talks with Fatah for the internal reconciliation of Palestine and had also agreed to hold the general election, reports said. The last legislative election was held in 2006, won by Hamas. It intensified the conflict between Hamas and Fatah, and clashes between the two resulted in the split of the Palestinian National Authority and saw Hamas governing the Gaza Strip since 2007. Previous attempts to reconcile the two major Palestinian political movements had failed but things appear to be positive after Ismail Haniyeh was elected new Hamas political bureau in May this year. Haniyeh, along with a high-profile delegation from the movement arrived in Egypt at the beginning of this month and they since then have met with Egyptian officials to alleviate the blockade and seek to end the Palestinian rift, the statement said. Meanwhile, PCOM expressed its appreciation towards the Malaysian government and its people for their encouragement for the Palestinian unity, and welcome more efforts from the government and concerned parties to achieve the Palestinian ambitions and strengthening the friendship between the two nations. -- BERNAMA