Angry Gazans reject Mid-East talks

By Aleem Maqbool
BBC News, Gaza City

Many Gazans reject peace talks carried out in their name

In a sea of green flags, tens of thousands of Palestinians marched in Gaza City denouncing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as a "traitor".

It came on the day of the biggest Israeli-Palestinian conference for years, which Mr Abbas is attending.

But the protestors here simply do not believe that the meeting is being held for their benefit.

"The people that are meeting in Annapolis don't represent the Palestinian people they just represent themselves," said one protester.

"We are opposing the Annapolis conference because it will not secure our rights," said another.

The march in Gaza was yet another illustration of the forces dividing Palestinians at the moment.

The two main Palestinian political factions - Hamas and Fatah - are bitterly opposed following Hamas's bloody takeover of Gaza this June.

We reject any commitments for Arabs and Palestinians which help further American and Israeli objectives Hamas leader Ismail Haniya

The militant Islamic movement here in its stronghold refuses to recognise Israel and rejects the Annapolis conference.

But the Fatah faction, led by Mr Abbas, recognises Israel and believes in a two-state solution.

Hamas leaders say that they will not be bound by any decisions taken at the conference.

Demonstration death

The Islamic movement, which was democratically elected in January 2006, says that Fatah is negotiating with Israel without a mandate from the people.

"We reject any consequences of Annapolis and any commitments for Arabs and Palestinians which help further American and Israeli objectives," said the deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.

For now, Mr Abbas has chosen to ignore Hamas and their supporters.

But anti-Annapolis protests were not just confined to Gaza - there were also small demonstrations in the West Bank, Mr Abbas's stronghold.

At a demonstration in the West Bank city of Hebron, one Palestinian was killed by Palestinian police loyal to Mr Abbas, and at least 12 others were injured.

While Mr Abbas is being feted in the US, he is going to face a rougher ride back home.

And it's going to take some strong persuasion from Mr Abbas to convince Palestinians that Annapolis marks the beginning of the end of conflict with Israel - and between themselves.