Today the British press widely covers a surprising new deal struck by Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah, who have announced that they will form an interim unity government, ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections to be held later this year. The Egyptian-brokered deal, worked out behind closed doors, will apparently be signed by all Palestinian parties at a ceremony in Cairo next Wednesday. While exact details remain unclear, it appears that a power-sharing administration will be established in the coming weeks in Gaza and the West Bank. The agreement is expected to involve the creation of a combined security force and the release of hundreds of prisoners on both sides. The Times quotes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reaction to the announcement: '"The Palestinian Authority must choose between peace with Israel or peace with Hamas. There cannot be peace with both because Hamas strives to destroy the State of Israel and says so openly," Mr Netanyahu said.' A mixed picture of Hamas, its history of violence and its rejection of Israel emerges from coverage of this development. The Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent,The Times, The Guardian and the BBC News website, whether through third-party quotation or through direct reporting, all make reference to Hamas's resolute refusal to recognise the Jewish state. The Guardian's Middle East editor, Ian Black, explains that Hamas leader Khaled Mishal: 'has signalled readiness for a long-term ceasefire or "hudna" with Israel, but not for formal recognition.' Thurs. 28 Apr. 2011 @ 12.26 - Article on Fatah-Hamas unity declaration purports absence of demonstrations in Palestinian territories, despite recent examples of mass protests being violently dispersed. Following yesterday's announcement that Fatah and Hamas had agreed to form a temporary interim government, after four years of division and violence, there was coverage across the British media of the implications this move might have on the current impasse in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In common with reporting in the other broadsheets and on the BBC, The Independentcovers the background to the announcement, including the geographical division between the two sides. 'Israel dismayed as Fatah strikes surprise deal with Hamas', by Catrina Stewart, describes the recent history of animosity between the two sides: 'The two factions have been estranged ever since Hamas unexpectedly won the 2006 elections, routing Fatah. Although the two formed a short-lived coalition government in 2007, it fell apart amid bloody fighting in Gaza. Hamas seized control of Gaza, while Mr Abbas formed his own government in the West Bank.' Thurs. 28 Apr. 2011 @ 13.30 - The UK broadsheets and the BBC have as yet failed to cover Syria's candidacy to fill the vacant seat on the UN Human Rights Council, in elections for 15 of the council's 47 seats to be held on 20 May. The Jerusalem Post reports on the international NGO UN Watch's campaign to prevent Syria's unopposed ascendance to a position on the council, described as a 'virtual sure thing'. This comes less than three months after Libya's membership was suspended in response to the violent suppression of protestors by the Gaddafi regime. The Egyptian Al Masry Al Youm reported last week on the release of a joint statement by human rights organizations from across the Arab world, led by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights, denouncing endorsements from the Arab League for Syria's candidacy for membership on the UNHRC. It urged the Arab League 'refrain from supporting' and 'publicly denounce' Syria's candidacy. Condemning 'double standards and selectivity', the press release calls for a position similar to that taken towards Libya: 'The undersigned NGOs believed that the decisive stance taken by the Arab League and its Secretary-General on the Libyan regime's massacre of its own people was a first step toward support of the rights of peoples'.
April 28, 2011 Media Analysis Mixed presentation of Hamas in reports of reconciliation deal
The Wire Independent ignores violent quashing of Palestinian protests
The Wire Syrian candidacy for seat on UN Human Rights Council unreported
Thursday, 28 April 2011
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