Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced on Tuesday that national factions would return to Algeria next week to complete previous dialogues aimed at achieving the inter-Palestinian reconciliation.
Speaking at the beginning of the cabinet meeting, Shtayyeh said several factions are heading to Algiers next week at the invitation of the Algerian Foreign Ministry and the directives of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The PM saluted the Algerian initiative, hoping the efforts would “end division, achieve national unity, reinforce the Palestinian position towards ending the occupation, establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and establish the Right of Return.”
He lauded Algeria’s support and its opposition to Israel's membership in the African Union (AU).
In January, the Algerian government hosted a meeting for Palestinian factions in a bid to reach reconciliation. But Palestinian factions did not achieve any breakthrough in the talks.
Algeria wants to achieve an acceptable vision to present a paper in the general factional meeting ahead of the upcoming Arab League meeting in Algiers.
Fatah insisted on forming a unity government that adheres to international legitimacy above all, but Hamas wants comprehensive elections, including the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), before proceeding with any agreement.
Hamas also rejects the form of government proposed by Abbas.
The factions disagree on the role of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Gaza and the reconstruction process.
The dispute between Fatah and the opposition deepened after the meeting of the Central Council earlier in February.
The last reconciliation attempt was in Egypt in June 2021, but it was faced with disagreements over the PLO, the government, elections, programs, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
While the dispute over the general elections continues, the PA is preparing for the second phase of the polls in the West Bank without Hamas.
The PM hoped the legislative elections would be held in a democratic process in all the governorates, including Jerusalem.
Shtayyeh also lauded the decision of the Constitutional Court in South Africa, distinguishing between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.
He described the decision as "historic" and a victory for human rights principles.
