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Hamas, Fatah form unity government

However, Israel says it won't deal with the new coalition.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 16, 2007

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The rival Hamas and Fatah movements formed a long-elusive unity government Thursday, hoping to end bloody infighting and lead Palestinians out of a yearlong international isolation. However, Israel immediately said that it will not deal with the new government.

Israel said the Palestinian government's program falls short of the three international conditions for acceptance, including recognition of the Jewish state. But a member of the incoming Cabinet said that the program was not final and that changes were possible before parliament approves the coalition Saturday.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the Islamic militant Hamas movement announced the final coalition agreement after months of stop-and-go negotiations.

The coalition platform posted on Hamas and Fatah Web sites calls for continued observance of a truce with Israel but falls short of Israeli, U.S. and European requirements that the new government recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept previous peace deals.

The new government's platform includes only a vague pledge to "respect" past peace deals, falling short of explicit recognition of Israel.

It also affirms the Palestinians' right to resist and "defend themselves against any Israeli aggression."

Although many in the West consider "resistance" to be a code word for violent attacks, Palestinians have a wide variety of definitions that can encompass anything from armed attacks to street protests.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said his government will boycott the coalition government and encourage other countries to do the same.

Western countries have said they'll wait for the new government to take office before deciding whether to lift economic sanctions against the Palestinian government.

[Last modified March 16, 2007, 01:24:46]