Palestinians: Unity is better than eating

Awad: Fatah would choose the unity government over an end to the economic
embargo
Date: 05 / 03 / 2007  Time:  12:02
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Gaza - Ma'an - A spokesman of Fatah movement, Abdul Hakim Awad, has declared that Fatah will stand up to anyone that attempts to frustrate the implementation of the Mecca agreement.

He confirmed that if his movement is asked to choose between the unity government and the end of the economic embargo on the Palestinian Authority, Fatah will choose the unity government.

Speaking to the London-based daily, Al Quds Al Arabi, Awad said "the siege is coming to an end. If Israel continues to reject the unity government, Palestinians will have two options, to return to division, internal strife and violence, or to stand united to face external pressure."

"This is why Palestinians have chosen unity," Awad said. He mentioned that there is a Palestinian initiative to lift the siege, which includes the announcement of a truce and the prisoner exchange deal involving captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.

Awad said that the five major Palestinian factions Fatah, Hamas, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Democratic Front for the Liberation of (DFLP) and Islamic Jihad will be invited to hold comprehensive talks regarding the ceasefire on the basis that the end of the embargo is in
the interests of the Palestinian people.

Awad hinted that there is more than an initiative in regard to the truce and that the Palestinians are intending to complete the prisoners exchange deal. Awad believes that this might ease international pressure and lift the siege.