Saudi Arabia has been calling for a Palestinian unity government. Same thing with Egypt and the US. So why not?

Palestinian rival groups Fatah and Hamas held a series of "ice-breaking" meetings ahead of wider reconciliation talks aimed at repairing the gaping rift between the two groups, members said Wednesday. The discussions, mediated by Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, focused on releasing detainees and ending the negative media campaigns each side is waging against the other. Hamas politburo member Izzat Rashaq said the idea was to create a positive atmosphere between the two groups. Azzam al-Ahmed, of Fatah delegation, described the talks as "very positive, deep and tackled all issues of conflict," and expressed hope they would end "the state of divisions."

The only holdout is Hamas, who refuses to pretend to recognize Israel. That's a dealbreaker for Abbas, who doesn't have that luxury:

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday any unity government with Hamas would have to agree to a two-state solution with Israel, a demand quickly rejected by his Islamist rivals. The disagreement could hamper Egyptian-brokered reconciliation talks aimed at ending a schism between the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, where Abbas's Fatah faction holds sway. "We are moving in steady steps towards ... a national unity government that abides by our known commitments, which include the two-state vision and the signed (peace) commitments," Abbas said in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

This is the same thing they told Clinton a few days ago. And - honestly - why should they change? Sure they're denying Obama the pretext that he needs to backslide on his "no Hamas" promises. But the rest of the world will cave soon enough. Liberals in Britain and the US are already pushing for direct talks. European diplomats are only a little behind. Besides - it's not like the international community won't be spending the next few months pouring billions of dollars into Gaza.

Oh - and Hamas wants you to know that they won't really be moderating even if they do join a unity government. Just in case you were confused.

References and previously after the jump...