Senior Israeli officials said that Israel is deeply disappointed with the State Department's announcement that the US will continue to work with the new Palestinian unity government between Fatah and Hamas that was sworn in on Monday.
"We are deeply disappointed by the comments of the State Department regarding working with the Palestinian unity government," the officials were quoted after US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that the U.S. intends to work with the new government but ‘’will be watching it closely to ensure that it upholds the principles of the Quartet - recognize Israel, reject terror, and honor previously signed agreements.’’
"This Palestinian government is a government backed by Hamas, which is a terror organization committed to Israel's destruction," the Israeli officials said. "If the U.S. administration wants to advance peace, it should be calling on Abbas to end his pact with Hamas and return to peace talks with Israel. Instead, it is enabling Abbas to believe that it is acceptable to form a government with a terrorist organization."
The US announcement came as the Congress, with the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006, prohibits American aid to any Palestinian government “that results from an agreement with Hamas and over which Hamas exercises undue influence.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer posted a message on his Facebook page which said that “with suits in the front office and terrorists in the back office, [the unity government] should not be business as usual.
Israel has condemned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for choosing a pact with Hamas – listed by the US and the European Union as a terrorist organisation – over peace with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Abbas ‘’said yes to terrorism and no to peace’’. ‘’This is the direct continuation of Abu Mazen's policy of refusing peace. While Israel has carried out courageous and painful steps on behalf of the diplomatic process and continues to be committed to peace, Abu Mazen has refused to extend the negotiations, has rejected the American framework document, continues to incite against Israel, has unilaterally acceded to UN treaties and has now forged a pact with the Hamas terrorist organization,’’ he added.
The European Union followed the US position to continue working with the new Palestinian government.
"We welcome ... the declaration by President Abbas that this new government is committed to the principle of the two state solution based on the 1967 borders, to the recognition of Israel's legitimate right to exist," the EU said in a statement.
"The EU's engagement with the new Palestinian government will be based on its adherence to these policies and commitments," it said.