Abbas' representative, speaking in Gaza, reaffirms call for dialogue with
Hamas
Date: 28 / 06 / 2008 Time: 16:52
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Gaza - Ma'an - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' representative for human
rights, Kamal Ash-Sharafi reaffirmed Abbas' call for an end to the
Palestinian state of internal division in order to end the siege of the Gaza
Strip and stop Israeli aggression.

Ash-Sharafi was speaking on President Abbas' behalf at an event attended my
members of several Palestinian factions, at the Rashad Cultural Center in
Gaza City. The event was organized by a small human rights organization
called the National Committee for the Defense of Human Citizenship.

Ash-Sharafi said: "Palestinian people look forward to national dialogue and
to end the state of division, and lifting the siege imposed on the [Strip]."
Ash-Sharafi called for more action in regard to both Palestinian unity and
Israel's blockade of Gaza.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Rabah Muhanna, a leader in the leftist
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) called for the
formation of a committee to "prepare ground" for Palestinian national
dialogue.

Muhanna added that he sees the internal Palestinian conflict as the most
important issue facing Palestinians, and that he welcomed Abbas' call for
dialogue. He noted that the PFLP is working for the release of Palestinian
political prisoners both by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and
the de facto government in Gaza.

Abbas dismissed a Hamas-Fatah unity government over one year ago after Hamas
wrested control of Gaza away from Fatah-affiliated security forces. In early
June, Abbas called for unconditional dialogue between Hamas and Fatah. Hamas
welcomed Abbas' call, but no high-level meetings have taken place between
the rival factions since then.