Algeria, Reconciliation and the Last Chance
According to Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh,
According to Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh, who is always optimistic, and I hope this time I can share his optimism, a new round of Palestinian-Palestinian reconciliation meetings, and an end to the abhorrent division, involving a number of effective Palestinian factions on the scene, is being arranged to be held in the Algerian capital, in the middle of Next week, at the invitation of the Algerian Foreign Ministry, Ramtane Lamamra, and under the patronage of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Last month, Algeria hosted “unilateral exploratory meetings” with the aim of testing the pulse of the factions, led by Fatah and Hamas, towards the reconciliation file, but these meetings were followed by the explosion of a new major dispute, which was caused by the meetings of the Central Council of the Liberation Organization on February 6-7, which It was boycotted by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Movement and other small factions, which added to the already escalating differences, due to the cancellation of the legislative, presidential and National Council elections, in May 2021, after the occupying power refused to include Jerusalem and its people in the elections.
Abu Mazen refused to hold elections without Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Palestine. Personally, I am in favor of postponing the elections. Rather, I am against holding elections in light of the occupation that oppresses the Palestinian people as a whole. Hamas and other factions considered this postponement as an escape on the part of Fatah and Abu Mazen, from the entitlements of the stage and a circumvention of the inevitable result, which is the horrific defeat of Fatah and the factions surrounding it, within the framework of the Liberation Organization in its current situation, and pulling the rug from under its feet. Whoever the honest party is, the postponement of the elections deepened the differences and divisions and mixed the cards for those who wanted to mix them.
These differences did not exist during the attempts to complete reconciliation and end the previous division. The question that imposes itself here, what are the pressing cards in Algeria’s hands that did not exist with Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey or Moscow, to make it able to achieve Palestinian-Palestinian reconciliation, After about fifteen years. Although he had in the hands of these countries mentioned, or to transfer some of them, very important pressure cards. With regard to Turkey, for example, there is a political and intellectual rapprochement with Hamas, but it is not known whether this political harmony will last for a long time in the coming period, with the rapprochement witnessed in Turkish-Israeli relations, which will certainly lead to normalization in relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv, which will culminate in a visit Israeli President Herzog will arrive in Ankara on the ninth of next month, and Turkish President Erdogan will of course return it to restore relations between the two countries. As for Egypt, it holds the most important keys, the keys to the gates of the Gaza Strip, and controls the interior and exterior to and from the Strip. In addition, of course, it holds the mediation card between Hamas and Israel to maintain the fragile calm on the Gaza border, as well as in the issue of the prisoner exchange, which Hamas sees as an important card that may It would break the back of the authority, if it succeeded in releasing heavy prisoners, such as Marwan Barghouti, a member of the Fatah Central Committee, who disagreed with Abu Mazen over the postponement of the elections. In addition, of course, Cairo holds a strong card against Fatah. It is the card of Muhammad Dahlan, the dissident from the Palestinian Authority, who seeks to return to the Palestinian arena through the Gaza Strip, which he mistakenly believes to be his main base.
As for Qatar, it embraces the leadership of Hamas, and the head of the political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, and Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas, resides abroad, and a large number of its leaders and members of its political bureau.
This raises the following question: If such countries failed to achieve reconciliation and end the division, what are the chances of Algeria's success? Personally, I do not see any prominent paper pressing in Algeria’s hand, but at the same time I say we must not give up hope, and we must work to enhance the chances of Algeria, a brother that is very and seriously concerned with ending the division, and is keen, as he says, “not to waste the opportunity from his hands, and it may be the last chance.” Before announcing the longitudinal and final split, which I expect will be confirmed by the formation of an entity parallel to the Liberation Organization. Algeria and we with it hope to achieve a fundamental breakthrough and restore the lost trust between the factions, led by Fatah and Hamas, and prevent this split, which I see as inevitable if the situation remains as it is. There are those who talk about the existence of new offers and initiatives for reconciliation that are being cooked on a quiet fire with the participation of the factions and prominent Algerian personalities. So, the obstacles that Algeria must overcome to reach the top of the mountain:
The first obstacle is persuading Hamas to recognize the agreements and commitments signed by the PLO, including the recognition of the Zionist entity, in order for the government that will be formed after the agreement to meet with international acceptance, which is a logical and not exaggerated matter. Otherwise, we will continue to run in a vicious circle, but Hamas announced its rejection of this condition. If she accepts it, it means a major deviation from her political position. But it can be circumvented and this obstacle can be bypassed by the recent decision of the Central Council of the organization, which calls for stopping dealing with the Oslo Accords and stopping security, political and economic coordination, etc., with the occupying state and withdrawing its recognition, which is a factional demand.
The second obstacle is the signing of any agreement without reaching a binding understanding regarding the elections, which is rejected by Hamas and other factions such as the Popular Front. reject it. This obstacle may be more complex than the first, because there are no signs that the occupation government, which is moving rapidly to Judaize Jerusalem, will change its position.
The third node is the weapon of the resistance, as the authority adheres to its position rejecting the existence of a weapon other than the legitimate weapon of the authority. Is this one of the most difficult knots? Algeria must find creative solutions and exits.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Personally, with my modest knowledge and my 54 years of experience, and my follow-up to the Palestinian situation and differences due to my journalistic work and political activity, I can say that failure will be an ally of the Algerian attempt, but I do not want to be pessimistic, like an owl in ruins, I hope that the coming days will prove that my pessimism was misplaced. I sincerely hope that Algeria's steps will be crowned with success because it may be the last chance to prevent a catastrophe.
And after the severe polarization that the Palestinian arena experienced and is experiencing, especially after the postponement of the elections, and which intensified after holding the last session of the Central Council, it is no exaggeration to say that Algeria’s attempts are the last chance to achieve reconciliation and end the hateful division, which has been going on for more than one year. 14-odd years, and if we want to be more precise, it has been 14 years, 8 months, and 6 days since the split, for which we will not blame one party without the other.
Does the perfumer fix what has been spoiled by eternity? Will Algeria, which enjoys credibility and respect among all the Palestinian factions, succeed what was spoiled by about 15 long years of dissent? This is what we wish from our hearts for the Algerian brothers. Indeed, what has been corrupted by time will be corrected and the true cohesion of the Palestinian people will return so that they can devote themselves to their long and hard struggle against the mightiest colonial and settler power to defeat the occupation, achieve independence and establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, whether time is long or short. And the will of whomever willed, and the father of my father.
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Protests in Greenland and Denmark Against Trump Plans
In recent days, a powerful wave of protests has swept through Greenland and Denmark, uniting people from Nuuk to Copenhagen in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plans regarding Greenland — an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. These demonstrations, grounded in concerns about sovereignty, international law, and cultural identity, have underscored deep local unease over external pressure and potential geopolitical shifts in the Arctic. At the heart of the unrest is Trump’s repeated public push for the United States to assert control over Greenland, a vast island rich in mineral resources and strategically positioned at the gateway to the Arctic. Trump’s statements, which include hints at annexation and threats of tariffs on European nations that oppose his agenda, have struck a nerve across the North Atlantic region and beyond. Rising Tensions and Political Backdrop Greenland has long been a subject of international attention due to its expansive geography, natural wealth, and increasing importance in global strategic calculations amid climate change. While the territory enjoys significant self‑rule, defense and foreign policy are handled by Denmark. Trump’s renewed interest has challenged this status quo. He argues that U.S. control is vital for national security — particularly in countering perceived threats from Russia and China — and has even floated the idea of imposing tariffs on NATO allies that resist his plans. This stance has not only angered Danish and Greenlandic leaders but also prompted criticism from within the U.S. political establishment. A bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers visiting Copenhagen made clear that many Americans do not support Trump’s push, emphasizing respect for Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s self‑determination. Communities Mobilize: “Hands Off Greenland” Across Greenland and Denmark, grassroots movements have rallied under slogans like “Greenland is not for sale,” “Hands off Greenland,” and “Kalaallit Nunaat” — the indigenous name for Greenland. In Copenhagen, tens of thousands of protesters filled city squares and marched toward the U.S. embassy, waving Danish and Greenlandic flags and demanding respect for democratic principles and international law. In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, a parallel demonstration — one of the largest in the island’s history — drew thousands, including Prime Minister Jens‑Frederik Nielsen, who spoke to the crowd about the importance of unity and self‑governance. Signs and chants reflected a resolute message: Greenland’s future should be charted by Greenlanders, not dictated by foreign capitals. Organizers of the “Hands off Greenland” demonstrations, including Greenlandic associations in Denmark and local advocacy groups, emphasized that their actions are about defending basic rights and preserving identity. They have called for broader recognition of Greenland’s autonomy and have urged international support for peaceful cooperation instead of coercion. Public Opinion and International Concern Polls show overwhelming local opposition to U.S. acquisition of Greenland, with a large majority of residents rejecting the idea of joining the United States. Many Greenlanders express deep attachment to their land, culture, and path toward eventual full independence — goals they see as jeopardized by external attempts to shift the island’s political status. The protests have also sparked wider international reactions. European leaders, from France to Germany, have condemned Trump’s tariff threats, arguing that they undermine not only Greenland’s status but also the cohesion of NATO — an alliance built on mutual respect and collective defense. Some officials have warned that heavy‑handed U.S. tactics could damage long‑standing partnerships and complicate broader security cooperation in the Arctic region. At the same time, critics of Trump’s approach argue that focusing on territorial claims detracts from pressing global issues, including climate change, which is rapidly transforming the Arctic. They highlight that Greenland’s melting ice is unlocking new shipping routes and ecological concerns, making international collaboration more necessary, not less. Voices from the Streets In both Greenland and Denmark, protesters have brought personal stories to the forefront. Participants carrying the Greenlandic flag described their homeland as more than a geopolitical asset — it is a home with history, communities, and traditions. Many have echoed a shared sentiment: foreign ambitions should not override the will of the people who live on the island. One Copenhagen demonstrator, echoing the broader mood, stated that respecting Greenland’s right to choose its future is a basic matter of human rights. Another marcher in Nuuk emphasized that the fight is about dignity and autonomy, not just political slogans. Looking Ahead As diplomatic exchanges continue, the Greenland‑Denmark‑U.S. tensions show no sign of immediate resolution. Although U.S. tariffs and aggressive rhetoric have raised the stakes, local opposition remains steadfast. Greenlandic and Danish officials have reiterated their preference for dialogue over conflict, stressing that cooperation on shared interests — such as Arctic security and environmental stewardship — is possible without compromising sovereignty. The protests in Greenland and Denmark reflect a broader global conversation about power, identity, and the rights of communities in an interconnected world. They serve as a reminder that even in an era of great‑power competition, the voices of local people and their right to self‑determination continue to resonate with force and clarity.
By Saboor Brohi a day ago in The Swamp
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