Netanyahu to int'l community: Don’t rush to recognize Palestinian unity government
PM says that supporting a government which includes Hamas strengthens terrorism, will not further peace.
By TOVAH LAZAROFFPrime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu speaks at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.(photo credit: EMIL SALMAN/POOL)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday urged the international community not to sanction a Palestinian government that includes Hamas."I call on all responsible members of the international community not to race to recognize a Palestinian government that includes and relies on Hamas,” Netanyahu said before the start of the weekly governmental meeting in Jerusalem.“Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for Israel’s destruction,” Netanyahu said.He explained that the unification of a newly formed Fatah and Hamas government, “will not strengthen peace” and “will strengthen terrorism.”On Saturday Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the new unity government would be announced on Monday. However, Hamas on Sunday, said that the differences with Fatah over the formation of a unity government have still not been resolved.
