Amid wave of endorsements, PM 'troubled' by U.S. decision to work with Palestinian gov't

Despite Israeli protestations, wave of worldwide endorsement for Abbas' new unity government.


By Barak Ravid and The Associated Press | Jun. 3, 2014 |

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took his confrontation with Washington over the new Palestinian government up a notch on Tuesday, saying he was "deeply troubled" by the United States' decision to maintain ties with the new unity government. Despite his protestations, however, a groundswell of recognition for Abbas' government has rolled in from around the world.

Speaking with the Associated Press, Netanyahu urged Washington to tell Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that his alliance with the Hamas militant group is unacceptable.

"All those who genuinely seek peace must reject President Abbas' embrace of Hamas, and most especially, I think the United States must make it absolutely clear to the Palestinian president that his pact with Hamas, a terrorist organization that seeks Israel's liquidation, is simply unacceptable," he said.

At the same time, the Prime Minister's office issued a statement detailing a conversation Netanyahu held with French President Francoise Hollande, in which he called on the leader to reject the new Palestinian government. "No European nation would allow a terrorist organization to form part of its government," he said.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.596907