The Palestinian Authority has officially agreed to allow a Hamas festival commemorating the movement’s 25th anniversary in the West Bank, an independent politician said Monday.And so the Hamas takeover of the West Bank accelerates, using the excuse of "unity." Remember that Hamas won the legislative elections in nearly every district in the West Bank the last time they were held. in 2006.
Khalil Assaf, who heads a Palestinian forum of independent figures, said Hamas would organize a festival in Nablus on Thursday.
Hamas leaders will deliver speeches, with the sanction of the Fatah-dominated West Bank government.
Hamas has already approved a Fatah festival in Gaza commemorating its 48th anniversary, Assaf noted.
For some reason, Western diplomats and pundits believe that that Hamas' ascendancy is a reason for Israel to give yet more concessions, as if the Palestinian Arabs will suddenly have a flood of good-will feelings and decide to support Israeli liberalism instead of Hamas terrorism.
"Time is running out," they say.
Indeed.
UPDATE: Hamas denies that the PA gave permission for the festival.