The effort by Fatah and Hamas to agree a new Palestinian government staffed by technocrats rather than politicians deserves to succeed and should be supported. It is intended to resolve the deep crisis afflicting the Palestinian Authority since Hamas won last January's elections. This triggered a boycott of international grant aid and consequent impoverishment for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian public employees and their families. It is assumed that a non-political government will allow these funds to resume, and it could encourage new initiatives to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Funding from western states and the Israeli exchequer was cut off until Hamas agreed to recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept past peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. These conditions were backed by the US and the EU, notwithstanding Hamas's clear victory in the elections. Since then several efforts have been made to overcome the international boycott by brokering an agreement between Hamas and Fatah. Their prison supporters in Israeli jails produced an ambitious draft during the summer which was overshadowed by Israel's war against Lebanon. It was followed by an attempt to form a coalition, which fell apart in September. This third effort is driven by the dire economic straits and widespread poverty of most Palestinians.
It is not clear whether a technocratic government could or would meet the three conditions laid down. Hamas says it can recognise the existing political reality in the Middle East, including Israel's presence there, but Israelis say this is duplicitous. It is willing to renounce the use of offensive violence against Israeli targets, but not resistance against occupation. Israeli troops this week withdrew from another extensive operation against rocket bases in Gaza.
Neighbouring Arab states warn that deteriorating conditions in the West Bank and Gaza will erupt in another explosion of violence unless political initiatives are taken to get the peace process going again. Their warnings should be taken seriously in coming months. Along with indications of a willingness to reopen political initiatives among the Palestinians, there is growing disillusionment among Israelis with the unilateralism which gave them war with Lebanon this summer. If a determined effort were made to tackle the Israeli-Palestinian confrontation along with other conflicts in the region, it would be easier to link such progress to the guarantees of recognition Israel must have if it is to reach a trustworthy and enduring settlement with its neighbours.