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Fatah, Hamas Unite for Ramadan

Despite shared start date for holy month, tensions still run high

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 13, 2007 2:12 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Ramadan this year will mark a brief expression of unity for the rival Palestinian governments of Hamas, in Gaza, and Fatah, in the West Bank. The holy month begins today or tomorrow—and deciding the date can cause tension between factions across the Muslim world, the AP reports. And despite the agreement this year, Hamas-Fatah tension remains high.

Fatah has warned it will defrock Hamas preachers who use Ramadan sermons to incite violence or stoke sectarian rivalry. The party also banned fundraising during the month without prior approval, an attempt  to prevent charity from filling Hamas' coffers. Hamas says it believes it will collect money unopposed, having removed all Fatah-affiliated financial oversight from Gaza.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a press conference at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. Abbas condemned actions by Hamas security forces in Gaza Friday who clubbed protesters and beat and detained journalists in a sign of rising tensions in the Gaza...
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a press conference at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. Abbas condemned actions by Hamas security forces in Gaza Friday...   (Associated Press)
Palestinian police loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas are dressed in riot gear as they show their skills during an exhibition for Middle East Quartet envoy and former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, not seen, at their base in the West Bank city of Jericho, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Muhammed...
Palestinian police loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas are dressed in riot gear as they show their skills during an exhibition for Middle East Quartet envoy and former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair,...   (Associated Press)
Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh(AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)   (Associated Press)
Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of the Islamic group Hamas, heads a cabinet meeting in his office in Gaza City, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007. Ehud Olmert on Monday became the first Israeli prime minister to visit a Palestinian town since the outbreak of fighting seven years ago, meeting under...
Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of the Islamic group Hamas, heads a cabinet meeting in his office in Gaza City, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007. Ehud Olmert on Monday became the first Israeli...   (Associated Press)
Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of the Islamic group Hamas, heads a cabinet meeting in his office in Gaza City, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007. Ehud Olmert on Monday became the first Israeli prime minister to visit a Palestinian town since the outbreak of fighting seven years ago, meeting under...
Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of the Islamic group Hamas, heads a cabinet meeting in his office in Gaza City, Monday, Aug. 6, 2007. Ehud Olmert on Monday became the first Israeli...   (Associated Press)
Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of the Islamic group Hamas. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Disposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, of the Islamic group Hamas. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)   (Associated Press)
Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the Islamic group Hamas, heads a cabinet meeting in his office in Gaza City, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. A previously unknown group apparently affiliated with Fatah took responsibility Tuesday for the bombing of a car of a Hamas activist and four other blasts...
Deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the Islamic group Hamas, heads a cabinet meeting in his office in Gaza City, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. A previously unknown group apparently affiliated...   (Associated Press)
Palestinians walk past various foods being sold in preparation for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in the market in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. Ramadan, the month where devout Muslims fast from dawn until dusk, begins Thursday. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)
Palestinians walk past various foods being sold in preparation for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in the market in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. Ramadan, the month where devout Muslims...   (Associated Press)
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Gaza • Mahmoud Abbas • Palestine • Hamas • Fatah • Palestinian civil war • West Bank • Ismail Haniyeh • Ramadan

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