BICOM

The United States yesterday said that it intends to work with the new Palestinian unity government, while Israel’s Security Cabinet announced that it will not negotiate with a government backed by Hamas.

US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki spoke after Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas swore in the new government, backed by both his Fatah faction and Hamas, which is classified as a terror organisation by the United States. Abbas has constructed a 17-person government in which ministers are not explicitly affiliated to Hamas. He has also pledged that the government will abide by Quartet requirements to recognise Israel, renounce violence and adhere to past agreements with Israel.

Psaki referred to the new Palestinian government as “an interim technocratic government” and said that, “Based on what we know now we intend to work with this government but will be watching closely to ensure that it upholds principles that President Abbas reiterated today.” She also confirmed that the United States will continue to provide aid to the PA, “but we will continue to evaluate the composition and policies of the new government and calibrate our approach accordingly.”

Meanwhile, Israel’s Security Cabinet issued a statement outlining that the government will “not negotiate with a Palestinian government with backing from Hamas,” which “calls for the destruction of Israel.” The statement said the government would act to prevent the participation of “terrorist organizations” in elections and also authorised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to impose additional sanctions on the Palestinian Authority.” However, Israel’s government did not announce any specific moves that would cause immediate damage to the PA, such as withholding customs revenues to pay debts owed to Israeli utility companies.

Netanyahu himself accused Abbas of having “said yes to terrorism and no to peace,” whilst Israeli officials expressed “disappointment” at the US announcement that it would work with the new government. Other Israeli leaders though urged greater caution. Yesh Atid leader and Finance Minister Yair Lapid said, “We need time to evaluate the new government … Now is not the time for harsh criticism.”