Hamas and Fatah try to ease tensions after clashes

IMPRISONED leaders of Hamas and Fatah have drafted a joint political platform they hope will reduce tensions between the two Palestinian movements that flirted with civil war this week.

In the wake of clashes that killed three and injured 20 in Gaza on Monday and Tuesday, the two groups also said yesterday that they would curb the devastating media attacks in which each has charged the other with fuelling conflict and serving Israeli interests.

The platform, if embraced by the Hamas cabinet, could be viewed as a step towards recognition of Israel. It was signed by intifada uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi of Fatah and Abdul-Khalek Natshe of Hamas, both prisoners in Israel's Hadarim prison.

It calls for establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and "the right of return" of Palestinian refugees. It says political steps should be based on "Arab legitimacy", an apparent reference to an Arab League peace plan from 2002 that offers recognition of Israel in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied during the 1967 Middle East war.

Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel's destruction, has so far refused to adopt the Arab plan despite the urging of president Mahmoud Abbas, the moderate Fatah leader, and international isolation that has prompted a severe economic crisis. Israel, its eye on annexing parts of the occupied territories, dismissed the plan when it was issued.

Hamas spokesman Mushir Masri was non-committal yesterday when asked about the new platform. "It could be a good base for a national platform and national dialogue, but it still needs more discussion," he said.

Fatah-Hamas tensions have been rising since Hamas defeated Fatah in January's legislative elections and Mr Abbas asserted his broad constitutional powers at the expense of the Hamas-led cabinet.