JERUSALEM – July 15, 2005 – Yesterday and this morning Palestinian security forces and members of Hamas clashed in Gaza killing two bystanders and injuring as many as 20 civilians. Palestinian factions need to understand that their continuous challenge to the rule of law is not in the interest of the Palestinian people and needs to stop immediately. MIFTAH calls upon all parties involved to cease all forms of violence and demonstrate wisdom and restraint in order to avoid spilling the blood of Palestinians.

At this critical time, these latest incidents will only increase anxiety among a population facing aggression on other fronts. Israel has renewed incursions and assassination attempts, which bodes ill for any progress in a future peace settlement, as it will perpetuate the cycle of violence.

Palestinian factions must respect the rule of law and the results of the democratic process. They must not play into the hands of Israeli policy and try to resolve their disputes in a civilized manner.

MIFTAH reiterates its call for self-control in order to keep order on the streets and avoid any internal conflicts that are only bound to harm the Palestinian people and their quest for nationhood and liberty.

The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, MIFTAH, is a non-governmental, non-partisan Jerusalem-based institution dedicated to fostering democracy and good governance within Palestinian society through promoting public accountability, transparency, the free flow of information and ideas and the challenging of stereotyping at home and abroad.