Israel denies PLO official entry to Gaza via Erez
Published yesterday (updated) 21/04/2014 21:28
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=691777

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Palestinian lawmaker Mustafa Barghouti has been denied
a permit to the Gaza Strip via the Erez crossing, a PLO official said
Monday.

PLO Executive Committee member Jamil Shehada told Ma'an that Israel rejected
Barghouti's application for a permit to enter Gaza, where he intends to
travel as a member of a delegation to discuss national reconciliation.

Shehada said the delegation would travel to Gaza via Egypt if necessary.

A member of the PLO delegation told Ma'an Sunday that the visit to Gaza is
part of an effort to implement reconciliation agreements reached with Hamas
in 2012.

The delegation consists of Fatah Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmad,
Secretary-General of the Palestinian People's Party Bassam al-Salhi,
businessman Munib al-Masri, Barghouthi, and Shehada.

The division between Fatah and Hamas began in 2006, when Hamas won
Palestinian legislative elections.

In the following year, clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas, leaving
Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of parts of the occupied
West Bank.

The groups have made failed attempts at national reconciliation for years,
most recently in 2012, when they signed two agreements -- one in Cairo and a
subsequent one in Doha -- which have as of yet been entirely unimplemented.