PALESTINE: 15 MARCH PALESTINE: END OF DIVISION

 

15 MARCH PALESTINE: END OF DIVISION

 

Large numbers are ready to hit the streets in Gaza, Ramallah, Israel, and the world; ready to explode into a strong and rational demand for the “End of Division” i.e. the end of the division between Fatah and Hamas.

Vittorio Arrigoni for Salem-News.com

(GAZA CITY) – The mighty flow of blood and hope from Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Algeria and Libya has also washed over young Palestinian minds in Gaza. What started as a stream has become a torrent and will soon spill it banks. Palestine’s 25 January will be 15 March.

As a matter of fact, in lieu of this date, the Palestinians are working hard to mobilize thousands of people to the squares of Ramallah and Gaza on the day which has been named “The Day of Reconciliation” rather than “The Day of Anger”.

The lessons learned from the Egyptian Revolution have refreshed the pride of young Gazawi as Muslims and Christians from various social classes were able to drive out a powerful dictator that seemed to be nailed to his throne. They are ready to explode into a strong and rational demand for the “End of Division” i.e. the end of the division between Fatah and Hamas.

We chose the 15 March because for we Palestinians, it is a day without political significance or special celebrations. The basis for our popular initiative is absolutely non political and independent from all political factions. We do not accept groups that even remotely identify with any party”, says 22-year old Assad.

When I met up with Assad Saftawy, Shamallakh Mohammed, and Mohammed Al Sheikh at the Coffee Gallery in downtown Gaza City, the tension was so high, one could cut it with a knife. Shortly before I had arrived, the boys got an unwelcome visit from undercover Hamas police who seized their computers and cell phones.

“Why are Hamas so afraid of you?” I ask them.

 “Although we have been clear from the very beginning that our intentions are for a call to heal the fracture between Ramallah and Gaza due to so much suffering, apparently they suspect that there is someone among us who is connected to “The Revolution of Honor”, Fatah’s day of anger initiated a few weeks ago but deserted by people in droves. Besides this, all Arab leaders fear the spontaneous demonstrations of young people. The funny thing is that senior government officials here, such as the deputy of Hamas’ Ahmed Yousef, declared publicly that he was in support of our initiative”, said 22-year old Mohammed Al Sheikh.

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