Khald Meshaal, the number two leader in the reorganized Palestinian Authority, post merger with hamas, may be the most contentious figure in Israeli-Palestinian politics at the moment. The leader of the Gaza-based militant group Hamas recently provoked the intense ire of Israelis and Palestinians alike when he brokered a contentious reconciliation deal between Hamas and the more moderate Palestinian party, Fatah. While hardline Hamas militants see the move as a sell-out to moderation, Israel condemns Fatah for embracing radicalism. As second in command in the newly created interim government, Meshaal may well be leading a charge that threatens to reignite hostilities in the conflict-weary region.