ISRAEL/PALESTINE

According to reports, in an indication of movement towards Palestinian reconciliation, Fatah was allowed to celebrate its 48th founding anniversary in Gaza for the first time in five years. Thousands of Fatah supporters attended the event in Gaza’s al-Saraya square. Fatah supporters have been prevented from celbrating their faction’s events since 2007 when Hamas took control of Gaza; Hamas supporters have similarly been banned from gathering in the West Bank in support of the group. 1 Officials from the two factions also met last week in Gaza to discuss stalled talks and “take advantage of the good will between them”. 2

• 1. “Fatah followers stage rare mass rally in Gaza”, Al Jazeera English, January 5, 2013 at http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/01/20131511111674534.html
• 2. “Fatah, Hamas meet in Gaza”, Ma’an News Agency, January 6, 2013 at http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=553821