Mini Palestinian dialogue in Cairo paves way for a 'comprehensive meeting'

A new Palestinian movement is unfolding in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, for the second time in less than two weeks, aiming to push for a comprehensive dialogue following the postponement of Palestinian elections to September 2027 instead of November next year, and to discuss arrangements for the upcoming phase.

According to Palestinian sources who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, four Palestinian factions will begin a mini national dialogue in Cairo through a series of bilateral and collective meetings. This initiative is part of preparations for a broad national dialogue involving various factions, including Fatah, and possibly the participation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The four factions include delegations from Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). They will hold bilateral meetings among themselves, as well as collective meetings, to consult on determining participants and the agenda.

According to three Palestinian sources who spoke separately to Asharq Al-Awsat, Fatah insists on rejecting the participation of the Democratic Reform Current (a splinter group from Fatah) led by Mohammed Dahlan. Fatah also opposes the participation of Palestinian factions that emerged with the outbreak of the Second Intifada (Al-Aqsa Intifada) at the end of 2000, such as the Resistance Committees, the Mujahideen Movement, the Free Men’s Movement, and other small factions that it claims receive funding from Iran, as well as Hezbollah and Hamas.

The sources clarified that, in contrast, Fatah insists on the participation of all factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), including those that no longer have an actual mass base or an active political role, such as As-Sa’iqa, Fida, the Struggle Front, and the Liberation Front.

One source confirmed that the meetings will discuss arrangements for the PLO and the entire Palestinian domestic arena, as well as the Palestinian National Council and other files.

A third source, a faction participating in the Cairo dialogues, stated that all disputed issues are expected to be resolved during the meetings, which may last for two days or be extended if necessary. He added that discussions will cover ending the split completely, determining clear mechanisms for forming the Palestinian National Council, and setting an official date for convening a comprehensive national dialogue, to be directly summoned by President Abbas.

He clarified that if the comprehensive national dialogue is decided upon, it will address many issues, including the conditions for joining the PLO and its arrangements, the file of the Palestinian National Council, and the files of legislative and presidential elections.

For his part, a Palestinian source close to the factions, present in Cairo, told Asharq Al-Awsat that there is a major Palestinian stake this time following the postponement of elections, placing hope on the Egyptian role and the mediation provided by Cairo to bridge divides and push toward achieving comprehensive national consensus and convening a broad dialogue soon, despite the difficulties.