Dismissed Fatah leader Dahlan says Abbas, Hamas lack 'serious nationalism'
Dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan discusses the current situation in Palestine, his rift with President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian-Israeli negotiations and his aspiration to become president.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — He seemed calm and confident, responding quickly to the questions without any hesitation. His tone was often diplomatic.
This was how Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan appeared during his interview with Al-Monitor, which took place at his residence in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. He has been living there since the Fatah Central Committee — of which he used to be a member — decided to dismiss him and take legal action against him in 2011, due to his disagreements with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Dahlan was clear about the need for reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, despite the rift between the two. He also appeared optimistic about a potential reconciliation with Abbas, as a way out of the political stagnation the Palestinian cause is currently going through.
Although Hamas and Fatah had already signed a reconciliation agreement in April 2014 and decided to form a unity government, neither of them truly wishes to reach a Palestinian national reconciliation, Dahlan said.
