The news that Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will shortly resign is great news. It means that Fatah and Hamas - feuding for nearly two years to the great determent of the Palestinians - have nearly finalized reconciliation talks. It am so anxious about this that I am even afraid to write about it lest I jinx it [knock on wood, knock on wood, knock on].

PA “President” - his term already ended in January - has asked Fayyed to remain until a new unity government is established. Fayyad’s stepping down would open the way for a Hamas leader to become prime minister.

[Graphic from Kabobfest.]

The Palestinians need to unite. Disunity only aids Israel. A unity government would not only put the Palestinians in a stronger negotiating position to achieve a Palestinian state, which they need know more than for a while since they are facing a soon-to-be far-right government that is opposed to a Palestinian state and seeks to expand illegal Israeli settlements. But also more important for the immediate moment, a unity government would end the boycott of Hamas since it would be part of a internationally recognized government. That means that Israel would have to end its terrorist siege of Gaza and the Palestinians of Gaza can finally have some relief and become to live as normal a life as they can.

I really, really hope this works out. I faith it will. The Palestinians need this, they need a united front.

I hope the people of Gaza can finally breath again. May God watch over all of them.