TEPAV Analyst Punsmann Assessed the Latest Developments in Palestine TEPAV Senior Foreign Policy Analyst Dr. Burcu Gültekin Punsmann wrote an essay for Hürriyet Daily News about the recent developments in Palestine and comparative advantages of Turkey and Egypt:
"Hopes raised by the Egypt-brokered inter-Palestinian reconciliation agreement evaporated with the news that the high profile meeting between the leaders of the rival Fatah and Hamas movements planned for last week, had been called off. Immediately in the aftermath Turkey hosted both President Abbas and Khaled Mashaal, the leader of the Hamas, for separate talks. It is unlikely that Turkish conciliation efforts will bear fruit. Egypt has a long experience and know-how in inter-Palestinian issues and has today a much better outreach to Hamas than Turkey can ever develop. Turkey can best contribute by supporting Palestinian state-building with concrete actions.
The basics of Egyptian foreign and regional policy defined by the 1979 peace treaty with Israel still hold. The decision to open the Rafah border crossing indicates a revision of the former regime's extreme securitization of the Gaza issue. Egypt is keen to remain the country able to talk to all sides and is eager to capitalize on the closer ties between the new Egyptian regime and Hamas. Egypt's preserve had been the Palestinian-Israeli question, first with Egypt's essential role as an efficient go-between Israel and the Palestinians, and more recently, as a mediator between Palestinian factions. The Muslim Brothers will be influential in the new Egyptian system that will be more representative of its society. The integration of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas into a functioning pluralistic political system respectively in Egypt and Palestine can go hand in hand. The energized role of Egypt following the ouster of the former President Hosni Mubarak can best bring Hamas within the parameters of stability. Egypt has renewed its involvement in the swap of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit: Egypt can expect to reap a prestige internationally and reposition itself vis-a-vis the Arab world by securing his release.
Hamas is moderating its political discourse: It is high time to come to terms with the fact violence and armed resistance against Israel hasn't delivered much. It brought only misery and sufferings to the Palestinian people. Abiding explicitly to the Quartet principles will seriously undermine Hamas in the eyes and minds of its constituency. However a pragmatic approach based on the renunciation of violence for the sake to better serve the Palestinian people would be meaningful.
Only unity within Palestine can deliver. Inter-Palestinian reconciliation is a prerequisite for peace that will give a boost to the drive to establish an independent state. Time has accelerated in the Arab world; the toppling of decade-old-authoritarian regimes has put into question what used to be taken for granted. The breaking of the barrier of fear is shedding light on the inherent fragility of political structures, defined by a system based on power, corruption and misallocation of funds.
The cry of dignity and freedom on the Arab streets is a yearning for radical change; for economic reform, for empowerment, for sharing the resources and the wealth for participatory democracy. It has shaken the source of legitimacy and credibility. This is not enough to have a popular empowerment; leadership requires a political vision and an agenda that works. The new Palestinian government should have to respond to their people's needs and rights. It should be able to carry on a national agenda of state building and good governance. Turkey's help will be tremendously important in supporting the unified Palestinian government to build institutions, deliver services and take care of the people's need. Much of the domestic agenda will do with economic reform, prosperity and job creation.
Both Turkish and Egyptian efforts will win credibility if there is a strong motivation to move towards a two-state solution. Only the definition of the territory where the Palestinians have a place for self determination can secure the legitimacy of Israel in the Middle East."
