Palestinian Unity Government On Hold Over Hamas Intransigence
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has put on hold unity government negotiations with the ruling Hamas faction over the latter's refusal to meet the international community's conditions for restarting the flow of financial aid. Abbas's media advisor, Nabil Amer, was quoted by The Jerusalem Post Sunday as saying Hamas had reneged on its earlier agreement to accede to demands that it explicitly recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce the use of terrorist violence, and abide by all previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Without meeting those conditions, Washington and most European nations have informed Abbas they will not lift crushing economic sanctions on the P.A. in place since the Hamas-led government was formed in March. Hamas officials insist that the proposed unity government deal does not obligate their group to recognize Israel, and gives it the right to reject any past accords deemed incompatible with the political interests of the Palestinians. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told reporters Sunday that despite public statements by Abbas's aides, unity government talks have not been frozen and are expected to resume the moment Abbas returns from talks in the U.S. "I assure all parties that there is no retreat. There is an agreement between myself and President Abbas to resume the dialogue when |
