Fatah to tone down platform, focus on settlements

Fatah's proposed new platform marginalizes the once central theme of "armed struggle" against Israel, but demands a complete Israeli settlement freeze before talks for a final peace deal can take place.

The 41-page draft proposal, published yesterday, is to be presented for approval this week to Fatah's first convention in 20 years.

It's a thorough rewrite of the 1989 platform, reflecting the dramatic events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - the establishment of the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza in 1994, two Palestinian uprisings against Israel, several rounds of peace talks, and the 2007 fall of Gaza to Fatah's rival, Hamas.

The international community and Israel will watch the three-day convention closely, particularly Fatah's continued commitment to negotiations. Israeli officials have declined to comment on the conference.

During the three-day convention more than 2000 Fatah delegates from all over the Middle East will update the movement's political platform and elect representatives for its leadership institutions.

Some 100 candidates are contending for the 21 seats in the central committee, including prominent Fatah leaders like Mahmoud Abbas, Marwan Barghouti, Mohammed Dahlan, Jibril Rajoub, Ahmed Qureia and many others.

Hundreds more are vying for one of the 120 seats of the revolutionary council, the second most important decision-making institution in the organization.

Fatah activists hope the convention, which will likely see most incumbent central committee members replaced, will clean up its corruption-tainted image and transform the organization into a vibrant alternative to the Islamic militants of Hamas.

Special generators were brought to Bethlehem's Terra Santa School, where the convention will be held, and ushers will be on hand to maintain order.

Palestinian Authority security forces have been deployed all over the city to prevent clashes and possible Hamas sabotage.

Pictures of Yasser Arafat and posters of slogans such as "Resistance is a legitimate right against the occupation" have been hung up in Bethlehem's main streets.

Several hundred Fatah delegates from Gaza , whom Hamas has forbidden from leaving the strip, will not be attending the convention.

A shopkeeper near the convention site told Haaretz he thought Fatah leaders care only about themselves.

"We haven't seen any real change in the economic situation. True, Hamas is no better, but we see no improvement, either with Fatah or Hamas," he said.