Poor Leadership Cited in Fatah’s Failure

Karin Laub (Associated Press)

June 15, 2007

Fatah’s old demons — lack of leadership, petty quarreling, corruption — are being blamed for its dismal showing in the fight against Hamas in Gaza.

While the disciplined Hamas systematically built and hoarded weapons, Palestinian observers pointed out, Fatah failed to prepare in time for the inevitable showdown with the Islamic militants. In this week’s fighting, disorganized Fatah fighters were outgunned and overrun by the smaller Hamas.

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“We knew at the outset that the task would be difficult. We acknowledged that publicly and privately. We knew this would be a road with many bumps— and there have been many bumps—and that continues to this day. But we are not deterred. We are, to the contrary, determined more than ever to proceed to realize the common objective, which we all share, of a Middle East that is at peace with security and prosperity for the people of Israel, for Palestinians, and for all the people in the region. We will continue our efforts in that regard, undeterred and undaunted by the difficulties, the complexities or the bumps in the road.”—George Mitchell, special envoy for Middle East peace, remarks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, September 29, 2010

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