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Several Israeli ministers lashed out at the US government on Tuesday for its decision to work with the newly formed Palestinian Unity government backed by Hamas.
Gilad Erdan, the Israeli Communications Minister and a security cabinet member, said, “Unfortunately, American naiveté has broken all records. Any collaboration with Hamas which kills women and children is unacceptable”. He added that Israel was “deeply disappointed” after the United States decided to back the new Palestinian government on Monday, and said that it would judge the new government “by its actions”.
Erdan, communicating through his bureau, also spoke of the chances of peace talks between Israel and Palestine in the future. “This American capitulation can only damage chances of resuming (peace) negotiations”, he said. The US-brokered peace negotiations collapsed in April after the surprise unity deal between Fatah and Hamas was announced. At the time, Israel said that it will not negotiate with a government backed by Hamas.
Under the terms of their agreement, Fatah and Hamas will work together and form a new interim government comprising independents that will prepare for an election to be held by the next 6 months. The newly formed government took office on Monday as President Mahmoud Abbas watched on from the side-lines. A few hours later, Washington publicly offered its support to the government.
Jen Psaki, spokeswoman of the State Department, said, “At this point, it appears that president Abbas has formed an interim technocratic government that does not include ministers affiliated with Hamas. With what we know now, we will work with this government”.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu had told his security cabinet that US Secretary of State John Kerry promised Israel that the US would not recognize the new Palestinian government immediately.
Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz accused Washington of beingduplicitous, saying, “I have to say I do not understand this American announcement.You cannot present it as a Hamas government internally, then present it publicly as a government of technocrats.If these (ministers) are people who identify with Hamas, Hamas identifies with them and appointed them, then they are representatives of Hamas. This is a Hamas government, and Hamas is a terror organization”.