AJC: Palestinian 'Unity' Government a Major Setback

News provided by

Jun 02, 2014, 09:49 ET

NEW YORK, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC called on the U.S. and European governments not to recognize the new Palestinian "unity" government announced today.

"Let's be clear: The Fatah-Hamas unity government is a marriage involving an unabashed terrorist partner and, therefore, another setback to any prospect for peace," said AJC Executive Director David Harris.

"The U.S. and EU must uphold their recognition of Hamas as the terrorist organization it is and long has been. No intellectual sophistry or diplomatic self-deception can hide that plain fact," Harris said. "Indeed, Hamas continues to this day to proclaim its rejection of Israel's very right to exist, and deadly rockets are fired to Israel from Hamas-controlled Gaza on a regular basis. What, then, can possibly be the meaning of a Hamas 'technocrat' other than a wolf in sheep's clothing? How sad and telling that President Abbas, given yet another choice between coexistence with Israel and confrontation, chose the latter!"

Hamas has refused repeatedly to alter its Charter, which explicitly calls for Israel's destruction, to renounce violence and terror, and to accept existing Israeli-Palestinian agreements.

"Whatever Abbas may think is gained by signing this pact with Hamas, there must be clear consequences from Western nations," said Harris. "It can't be business as usual. Beyond the veneer of 'technocrats' serving in the new Palestinian cabinet are Hamas leaders who will no doubt exploit this new arrangement to advance their goals, goals which are entirely inimical to the U.S., European Union, and all friends of the peace process."

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO

SOURCE American Jewish Committee