As Fatah and Hamas both accuse Israel of sabotaging peace efforts in the region, it is apparent the two factions that run the PA (Palestinian Authority) are incapable of achieving a working relationship between one another.

Despite several round of talks which officials hoped would result in an agreement, it is now clear that the split between the two factions is widening.

Fatah’s ruling council has called on its leader PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) to unilaterally use his presidential powers to call for elections. Hamas, based in Gaza, is warning Abu Mazen not to dare make such a move.

After the PA abandoned a vote on the Goldstone Report in the UN’s Human Rights Council, tensions between the factions began to rise once again.

A mock trial will take place on Monday in Gaza, with Hamas affiliated participants placing Abu Mazen on trial for abandoning the Goldstone Report.

Hamas has not officially recognized Abu Mazen’s authority since the terror organization claimed his mandate expired in January of 2009.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)