The Egyptian Protests Are Affecting West Bank And Gaza

I wrote earlier about efforts on Facebook to organize a protest against Hamas on Friday--but there are calls on Facebook for protests against the PA as well:

Several thousand people have joined the Facebook group calling for a protest against Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. Another Facebook group is calling for protests against the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Far fewer people have expressed interest in that page, but Palestinian leaders in the West Bank also recognize that the protests in Tunisia and Egypt could spill over into Palestinian territory.

While Hamas's reaction has been to break up current attempts at protest, PA Prime Minister Fayyad has taken an unprecedented step: he has promised to hold municipal elections--in the near future. Following on Fayyad's lead, senior Fatah officials have gone so far as to consider the possibility of holding general elections.

If they follow through on those general elections, and if Abbas is re-elected, it would be the first time in 2 years that Abbas would be able to officially hold the title of President.

Other effects of the protests:

• Because the border with Egypt is closed, Hamas officials cancelled a trip to Damascus to discuss a possible deal for the release of Gilad Shalit.
  
  
• If Mubarak should step down, it will be a blow to Abbas since Mubarak is considered an unofficial patron of the PA.

In any case, since Mubarak will be out when his term is over, whatever support he is providing to Abbas and the PA may soon be over.

Technorati Tag: Egypt and Fatah and Hamas.