Hamas and Abbas Clash Over Path for Palestinians

[barb162]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/international/middleeast/19palestine.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Hamas and Abbas Clash Over Path for Palestinians

By STEVEN ERLANGER and GREG MYRE
Published: February 19, 2006
RAMALLAH, West Bank, Feb. 18 —

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Fatah members entered the hall in Ramallah in suits and ties, with women in dress suits, their hair uncovered. They greeted each other warmly, with handshakes and kisses, and many members went to speak to Muhammad Dahlan, a Gazan who is considered a crucial figure in a future, younger Fatah.

The Hamas delegation in Ramallah, those elected in the West Bank, came in together and sat in a block at the back of the room; the women wore head scarves and sat together.

When Mr. Abbas finished his speech, many Fatah members stood and clapped. Many Hamas members kept their seats, and few applauded. After the speech, before they voted to elect a new parliamentary speaker, Aziz Dweik, a Hamas member and a professor of geography, many Hamas members used a corner of the hall to pray.

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Rawhi Fattouh, the departing Fatah speaker of the parliament, said the battle lines were clear. "This is the most critical point now in our relations," Mr. Fattouh said in an interview. "The crisis has already started on the political level."
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[Andromeda]

1. What a difference a day makes, huh?

To say Fatah and Hamas don't like each other very much is sure an understatement.

Maybe I shouldn't touch this, but I just have to say WHAT IN THE HELL HAPPENED?