Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson shoots down 'Washington Post' report that the Islamist group "did not rule out the possibility" that it would recognize Israel.
It took five days, but on Sunday EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton formally commented on the recent Fatah-Hamas pact, saying any new Palestinian government must uphold the principle of non-violence, remain committed to a two-state solution, and accept Israel's "legitimate right to exist."
The EU has "consistently supported intra-Palestinian reconciliation" along the lines of those terms, Ashton said in a statement. She said that reconciliation "on these terms is an important element for the unity of a future Palestinian state and for reaching a two-state solution and a lasting peace."
"The EU welcomes the prospect of genuine democratic elections for all Palestinians. The fact that President [Mahmoud] Abbas will remain fully in charge of the negotiation process and have a mandate to negotiate in the name of all Palestinians provides further assurance that the peace negotiations can and must proceed," she said.
The EU, along with the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and Egypt, has classified Hamas a terrorist organization and said it will not engage with the group until it accepts the international community's three conditions. Despite reports from time to time that some representatives of European countries have met in various capacities with Hamas officials, these conditions have for the most part kept the EU from dealing with Hamas since it won PA elections in 2006.
Ashton said she was "extremely concerned at recent developments related to the peace process, which are putting into question the continued negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians beyond the original deadline" of April 29.
Ashton reiterated the EU's "full support to the US-brokered peace efforts" and called on "both parties to remain focused on negotiations and on the unprecedented benefits which peace can bring. Negotiations are the best way forward. The extensive efforts deployed in recent months must not go to waste."
She also called on both sides to "maximum restraint and to avoid any action which may further undermine peace efforts and the viability of a two-state solution."
Meanwhile, the Palestinian news agency Ma'an quoted a media adviser to the head of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, as denying on Sunday reports that Hamas was considering recognizing Israel.
The aide, Tahir al-Nunu, told Ma'an that the Islamist movement "cannot" recognize Israel.
The Washington Post reported over the weekend that al-Nunu said Hamas "did not rule out the possibility of recognizing Israel."
Al-Nunu insisted on Sunday, however, that he was misquoted, and that Hamas "could not" individually recognize Israel.
"It is the interim leadership of the PLO who will determine political stances in the coming stage," al-Nunu told Ma'an. The Hamas spokesperson said that the unity government would not be playing a foreign policy role.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that any unity government involving Hamas would adhere to agreements adopted by Ramallah, including those which bind the Palestinians to nonviolence and recognition of Israel.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Ashton backs Hamas-Fatah deal, but says new Palestinian government must recognize Israel
Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson shoots down 'Washington Post' report that the Islamist group "did not rule out the possibility" that it would recognize Israel.
It took five days, but on Sunday EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton formally commented on the recent Fatah-Hamas pact, saying any new Palestinian government must uphold the principle of non-violence, remain committed to a two-state solution, and accept Israel's "legitimate right to exist."
The EU has "consistently supported intra-Palestinian reconciliation" along the lines of those terms, Ashton said in a statement. She said that reconciliation "on these terms is an important element for the unity of a future Palestinian state and for reaching a two-state solution and a lasting peace."
"The EU welcomes the prospect of genuine democratic elections for all Palestinians. The fact that President [Mahmoud] Abbas will remain fully in charge of the negotiation process and have a mandate to negotiate in the name of all Palestinians provides further assurance that the peace negotiations can and must proceed," she said.
The EU, along with the US, Canada, Japan, Australia and Egypt, has classified Hamas a terrorist organization and said it will not engage with the group until it accepts the international community's three conditions. Despite reports from time to time that some representatives of European countries have met in various capacities with Hamas officials, these conditions have for the most part kept the EU from dealing with Hamas since it won PA elections in 2006.
Ashton said she was "extremely concerned at recent developments related to the peace process, which are putting into question the continued negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians beyond the original deadline" of April 29.
Ashton reiterated the EU's "full support to the US-brokered peace efforts" and called on "both parties to remain focused on negotiations and on the unprecedented benefits which peace can bring. Negotiations are the best way forward. The extensive efforts deployed in recent months must not go to waste."
She also called on both sides to "maximum restraint and to avoid any action which may further undermine peace efforts and the viability of a two-state solution."
Meanwhile, the Palestinian news agency Ma'an quoted a media adviser to the head of the Hamas government in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, as denying on Sunday reports that Hamas was considering recognizing Israel.
The aide, Tahir al-Nunu, told Ma'an that the Islamist movement "cannot" recognize Israel.
The Washington Post reported over the weekend that al-Nunu said Hamas "did not rule out the possibility of recognizing Israel."
Al-Nunu insisted on Sunday, however, that he was misquoted, and that Hamas "could not" individually recognize Israel.
"It is the interim leadership of the PLO who will determine political stances in the coming stage," al-Nunu told Ma'an. The Hamas spokesperson said that the unity government would not be playing a foreign policy role.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that any unity government involving Hamas would adhere to agreements adopted by Ramallah, including those which bind the Palestinians to nonviolence and recognition of Israel.
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