The two leading Palestinian factions – Fatah, headed by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, and the terrorist organization, Hamas – met in Gaza on April 22 in the latest bid to end the schism between them, at the time the United States and Israel were trying to save from collapse peace talks with the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority.

Hamas, committed to Israel’s destruction, was represented at the reconciliation talks by Mousa Abu Marzouk.

The parley began the morning after U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki warned Abbas that any disbanding of the Palestinian Authority as reported in recent days would have damaging consequences.

That type of extreme step would obviously have grave implications. A great deal of effort has gone into building Palestinian institutions by Palestinians as well as the international community, and it would certainly not be in the interests of the Palestinian people for all of that to be lost. We – the United States has put millions of dollars into this effort. It would obviously have very serious implications for our relationship, including our assistance going forward. And as I just noted, of course, the parties are continuing to work to find the basis for extending the negotiations. Ambassador Indyk is there to help facilitate that, and that’s where our focus is.

Turning to the Hamas designated terror organization is not the first snub from the Palestinians to the peace talks. Abbas applied to join 15 international conventions earlier this month as part of his rejection of the peace process and the request of the international community for no unilateral moves.

[Photo: World Economic Forum / Wiki Commons]