BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) – The Palestinian Fatah movement is coming together for its first convention in 20 years, trying to rise from division and defeat with a pragmatic political program and new leaders.

Fatah supporters hope the convention will launch the final push toward Palestinian statehood.
Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas expects the three-day convention to boost his standing and strengthen his hand in dealing with his Hamas rivals and with Israel's hawkish prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yet conference is opening in disarray. Most Gaza delegates are unable to attend because of an increasingly acrimonious standoff between Abbas and Hamas. The Islamic resistance fighters who control Gaza have prevented the Fatah delegates from leaving the territory for the West Bank conference.