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Hamas' prime minister says he won't lead coalition that recognizes Israel

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published September 23, 2006

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - President Mahmoud Abbas' bumpy efforts to set up a Palestinian government acceptable to the West suffered a new setback Friday when the prime minister from the Islamic militant group Hamas said he would not lead a coalition that recognizes Israel.

Hamas has ruled alone since March after winning parliamentary elections, but this month agreed to share power with Abbas' moderate Fatah Party in hopes of ending a crippling international aid boycott of the Palestinian Authority.

The Hamas-Fatah coalition deal sidestepped recognition of Israel. Instead, it said the government would seek to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel, which implies recognition. However, the United Statres and Israel demanded a clear commitment from Hamas on the subject, and Abbas was forced to revisit the issue.

At the United Nations on Thursday, Abbas indicated a national unity government would recognize the Jewish state. It wasn't clear whether Abbas promised more than he can deliver, in hopes of soliciting international support, or whether he was trying to pressure Hamas.

Abbas and his aides were en route Friday from New York to Cairo and could not be reached for comment.

Hamas leaders reacted swiftly.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas told Muslim worshipers in Gaza that recognition of Israel is out of the question.

"I personally will not head any government that recognizes Israel," said Haniyeh, considered a leader of Hamas' more pragmatic wing.

He reiterated that Hamas is ready to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War, and to honor a long-term truce with Israel.

"We support establishing a Palestinian state in the land of 1967 at this stage, but in return for a cease-fire, not recognition," Haniyeh said.

Hamas officials left open the possibility of more negotiations, saying they want to hear from Abbas when he returns to the region.

"We don't want to build on statements or positions we heard in the media," said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. "When Abu Mazen (Abbas) comes back, we will listen to him and evaluate."

An Abbas aide, Nabil Amr, said Friday that Hamas would not be expected to issue a statement of recognition, but would be asked to recognize agreements signed by the Palestine Liberation Organization, including the PLO's 1993 mutual recognition agreement with Israel. Abbas heads the PLO.

However, the United States and Israel might not settle for such fuzzy language.

[Last modified September 23, 2006, 01:18:38]