The Nature of the Egyptian Role and Motivations in the Palestinian National Dialogue 2005-2010

The study aims to determine what is the Egyptian role in the Palestinian national dialogue, and to understand its Motivations by identifying the factors which influence this role of the Palestinian issue; such as geographical, religious and national factors. It also aims to find out the most important challenges and obstacles which faced this role, and to show future prospects for success. In addition it tries to identify the basis of the historical relationship between Egypt and Palestine in order to elicit the future of the dialogue results. Moreover, it shows the most obstacles which confront reaching national and political unity between both sides of homeland, and ends the state of division (fragmentation). Therefore, the study addresses this issue in its four chapters as the following: Chapter I; studies the problem and its borders as well as reviewing some previous relevant studies. While Chapter II deals with the theoretical dimension and the basic concepts associated with the study. Chapter III traces the developments of the Egyptian role toward Palestinian issue since the First World War until the end of 2010, and it searches in the most important factors affecting the role of Egypt in the Palestinian issue. The fourth chapter deals with the Nature and motivations of the Egyptian Role in the Palestinian national dialogue, and studies the essence of this role, in addition to the Egypt's role toward the main parties of the dialogue Fatah and Hamas, and the most important challenges and obstacles which faced this role. The study ends up by subtracting a number of conclusions, despite the fact that there are a number of Motivations that stands behind the Egyptian role in the Palestinian national dialogue, but there are a remarkable motivations come on top of these such as; the motive which is associated with Egyptian national security, securing the eastern gate linking Egypt to Gaza, and Egypt's role as a primary regional player in the area. In addition, the desire of the ruling regime in Egypt in Containment the phenomenon of Hamas strength growing in the region, as it is emerged out of the Muslim Brotherhood, formulate an important role in pushing Egypt toward mediation, and influence in the Palestinian national dialogue. In conclusion the study presents a set of recommendations that aims to the success of the Palestinian national dialogue, and enhance the chances of success of the Egyptian role in the mediation and auspices for such a dialogue. The most important of these recommendations that Palestinian parties should take into consideration is the issue of Egyptian national security, especially the stability of the situation on the Egyptian border with Gaza, and not to do activities that could contribute in fomenting the Egyptian side, or affect the national security of Egypt. Palestinians in different political spectrum, elites and even general public can also contributes in activating and strengthening the role of Egypt in its quest for success of the dialogue, and by activating the pressure from the street under clear and specific titles achieves reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, and to exercise direct pressure on the parties to push them towards the achievement of the reconciliation faltered. During the preparation of this study certain changes and transformations occurred in the Arab scene as a result of the so-called Arab Spring, Egypt has had a largest share of these transformations, as a result of a popular revolution President Mubarak's regime fell down , this gave the Muslim Brotherhood a chance to reach power in Egypt. Thus this raises a significant questions about the future of the Egyptian role in the dialogue and its prospects for success and continuity, and whether Egyptian support for Hamas movement will be affected from what it was during the reign of former President Hosni Mubarak?