US PLANS TO WORK WITH PALESTINE UNITY GOVERNMENT

Washington, 6 Sya’ban 1435/3 June 2014 (MINA) – The United States says it plans to cooperate with a national Palestinian unity government formed recently.

“Based on what we know now, we intend to work with this government,” US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Monday, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Earlier in the day, the new cabinet of the Palestinian unity government was sworn in before acting Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The cabinet is led by current Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and has 17 ministers, with at least nine of them newcomers.

“We will continue to evaluate the composition and policies of the new government, and if needed, we will recalibrate our approach,” Psaki added.

The move by the US is seen as a blow to the Israeli regime, which has been calling on the international community not to recognize the new Palestinian government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the world should not recognize the Palestinian unity government.

“I call on all responsible elements within the international community not to hurry to recognize the Palestinian government that Hamas is part of,” Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting.

Also on Monday, Tel Aviv expressed disappointment over Washington’s move.

“We are deeply disappointed by the State Department regarding working with the Palestinian unity government,” said an unnamed Israeli official after the announcement by Washington.

The new Palestinian parliament is expected to begin its activities next month.

Leaders of both Hamas and Fatah hailed the formation of the new government after a brief ceremony which took place in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Hamas and Fatah agreed to end their disputes and reconcile in late April. The move angered Tel Aviv which responded by ending the so-called peace talks with the PA. (T/P012/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)