BICOM

Israeli and United States officials reacted with disappointment to the announcement that the Fatah faction of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas had agreed to form a unity government, highlighting the negative impact it would have on the prospects of Israeli-Palestinian peace. Israel’s security cabinet will meet later this morning to consider its response.

Sitting alongside Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad, Hamas political leader Ismael Haniyeh announced that a Palestinian unity government would be established within five weeks and Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections held by the end of 2014. Hamas violently overthrew Fatah from Gaza in 2007 and the two factions have since been at loggerheads.

Prior to yesterday’s announcement, with the deadline for peace talks between Israel and the PA set to expire next week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave Abbas a stark choice, saying, “Does he want peace with Hamas or peace with Israel? You can have one but not the other.” Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman reiterated that Abbas, “cannot make peace both with Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organisation that calls for Israel’s destruction.” Hamas’ participation in a Palestinian government could raise legal issues over European Union and US funding for the PA, as both classify Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said that Hamas’ membership of a Palestinian government would be a “game changer.” Justice Minister and lead Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni called the unity deal “a bad step” which would “cast a heavy shadow on the possibility of progress.” A meeting between Livni, her Palestinian counterparts and US special envoy Martin Indyk, scheduled for yesterday evening was cancelled with Washington’s approval.

Meanwhile, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, “we were certainly disappointed in the announcement” and predicted, “This could seriously complicate our efforts” and “the efforts of the parties to extend their [peace] negotiations.” Psaki added that a future Palestinian government must agree to recognition of Israel, an end to violence and acceptance of all previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.