The Central Committee of Fatah has denied news reports about the possible reconciliation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Mohammed Dahlan during their recent visit to Egypt.
In a press statement received by Quds Press on Tuesday, the committee noted that the news about a reconciliation with ex-Fatah strongman Dahlan is based on “rumours and illusions” intended to cause confusion and to distract Palestinian public opinion with marginal issues. The committee stressed that the issue of reconciliation with Dahlan and his return to the movement has been settled and decided on, and that raising the issue once more “at this critical stage” is intended “to distract the national compass from its purpose.”
The committee explained that Dahlan was dismissed from Fatah “because of his financial violations that contradicted rules and regulations and violated the movement’s fundamentals and Palestinians’ interests,” as well as because he “carried out executions of innocent citizens.” The decision, it stressed, is final, and Dahlan’s documents have been referred to the Palestinian courts.
“Making out that this case is simply a matter of personal differences is a naive, miserable and suspicious attempt to hint at the possibility that Dahlan may play a role in the movement’s future and Palestinian political life,” the statement added. “Using embezzled money to tamper with the Palestinian arena and its internal affairs is a national crime that did not bear fruit over the history of the Palestinian cause and the national movement. It tempted only weak people who do not have a place or position [within Fatah].”