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Reconciliation: The Middle East and East Timor

Jeremy Bowen on the new accord between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah. Beneath the Christo Rei statue in East Timor, Amy Ripley is taken by the locals' ability to forgive.

As the US-led peace talks between Israel and Palestine break down, a new peace has emerged - between feuding Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah. The 成人快手's Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen recalls the history of that dispute, and analyses what the new entente might mean for peace in the Middle East.

One of the world's youngest nations, East Timor has seen its fair share of strife in recent years. Invasion by Indonesia left many tens of thousands dead, and heralded years of violence on the eastern half of the East Asian island. However, as Amy Ripley discovers under the shadow of a friendly-faced statue of Christ, modern day Timorese people bear few grudges.

(Photo: Palestinian women walk past a mural depicting late Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin (L) and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on May 4, 2014 in Gaza City. Credit: Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images)

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11 minutes

Last on

Wed 7 May 2014 19:50GMT

Broadcast

  • Wed 7 May 2014 19:50GMT