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Barack Obama claimed today that reconciliation between the Fatah-run Palestinian Authority and Hamas was the latest example of “unhelpful” steps that undermined peace talks with Israel.
But the US president did not mention the other unhelpful fact — that Israel broke off talks and brought the US-brokered process to the brink of collapse on Thursday.
Israel’s security cabinet made the decision during an emergency meeting convened to discuss new Palestinian moves towards unity.
Israel objects to any participation in Palestinian politics by Hamas and in a statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, the government said it would not hold negotiations with a government “backed by Hamas.”
It said: “Instead of choosing peace, Abu Mazen formed an alliance with a murderous terrorist organisation that calls for the destruction of Israel.”
Chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat retorted that Palestinian reconciliation was none of Israel’s business.
“Israel had no right to interfere in this issue,” he said. He condemned any possible Israeli sanctions as “piracy,” saying tax revenues Israel is threatening to withhold are Palestinian money.
The Palestinians say Israel has never presented a formal peace proposal during the months of meetings.
Israel, meanwhile, accuses the Palestinians of intransigence and holding extremist positions.
In particular, Mr Netanyahu criticised the Palestinians for refusing to recognise Israel as the Jewish homeland.
But even Israeli hard-liners concede that reaching a deal with Mr Abbas alone without Hamas would fall short of a complete peace.
