Damascus leaders of Hamas, PLFP-GC, and PIJ seek to establish a new “leadership organization,” which would unite Palestinian factions. Previously the PLO served that purpose, but under Israeli pressure Fatah gradually forced other factions out. The new PLO became superficially amenable to Israeli demands, but it was not representative of Palestinians, and could not force a truce on other factions.
An alternative umbrella organization, supported by Iran and Syria, would spell the end of the PLO’s legitimacy, especially as Fatah cannot win elections.
Israel faces a choice of allowing Fatah to form a unity government with Hamas and legitimize the terrorist group as she legitimized Fatah earlier, or watching the disintegration of the now-cooperative PLO.
