Mahmoud Abbas Jerusalem – Nazir Taha Fatah has demanded that Hamas’ leader, Khaled Mashal, “stands by the Palestinian people, their brothers and friends, instead of standing by Israel and its allies that refuse to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state.” A spokesman for Fatah, Ahmed Assaf confirmed that Fatah has highlighted the importance of the UN bid to Hamas and has requested support.
Hamas does not support the bid.
 “Hamas refuses to be a part of the PLO and is trying to create an alternative organisation that will weaken the Palestinian leadership.”
“As for Jerusalem, we remind Hamas of Yasser Arafat’s response to US President Bill Clinton when he asked him to give up parts of Jerusalem - ‘I invite you to walk in my funeral.’”
Assaf speculated that if Hamas does not agree with the majority of Palestinians, then there would be no chance of Fatah agreeing with Hamas.
Assad demanded that Hamas allows freedom of expression and refrains from suppressing protests supporting the UN bid in Gaza over the coming days.