The main issue of dispute is apparently whether or not to recognize Israel's right to exist. Speaking at the United Nations on Thursday, Abbas said that the new unity
government would recognize Israel. The next day, however, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Ismail Haniyeh, specifically negated this, saying that he would not lead a coalition that recognizes Israel.
It has now been reported that Abbas plans to meet with Haniyeh in Gaza today (Monday) or tomorrow in an attempt to revive the stalled talks. Chief PA negotiator Saeb Erekat of Fatah said that Abbas would tell Hamas, "If you want a unity government, there are international requirements that need to be met."
The Middle East Quartet, comprising the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia, has laid down three conditions under which it will recognize the Palestinian Authority government: renounce terrorism, recognize the State of Israel and accept all previously signed agreements such as the Oslo Accords.
As of now, the Quartet does not recognize the Hamas-run government, and has withheld much international funding. The lack of money has caused a crisis within the Palestinian Authority, leading PA leaders to turn to a unity government to possibly attract international recognition.
Asked about the possibility of putting pressure on Hamas, Abbas said, "Hamas does not need to be pressured, as the situation of the Palestinian people does not need such pressure. We have had a strike for more than four weeks, and it is still on because of the [lack of] salaries. Palestinians want to live, to eat. Also we have the [issue of the closing of the] crossings. All these challenges should make any responsible man see the picture and the situation clearly in front of his eyes."
Some reports say that if Abbas fails to convince Hamas to recognize Israel, he plans to dissolve the Hamas-led government and call new elections.
Hamas continues to insist that it will not recognize Israel. The Palestine News Network quoted a Hamas source today as saying, “We in the Hamas movement were surprised to hear the statement[s] from Mr. Abbas [in the UN], especially those which are contrary to what was agreed upon during the dialogue for the formation of a government of national unity. The statements are particularly dubious as they were made in front of U.S. and Israeli officials at the United Nations.” He added, “Hamas did not at any time agree to recognize Israel. Inside, negotiations for the new government were based upon the National Accord [Prisoners'] document, which does include recognition of the State of Israel.”
While some in the PA accuse Hamas of fomenting civil war, four armed groups have already threatened to target any PA government that recognizes Israel.
Hussein al-Sheikh, a top Fatah operative, was quoted by The Jerusalem Post as saying said his party was not asking Hamas to abandon its ideology. "No one is asking the brothers in Hamas to recognize Israel's right to exist," he explained. "We're only asking them to endorse a realistic and pragmatic policy that would be acceptable to the international community so that we could end the current financial crisis."
Even Fatah never recognized Israel, Al-Sheikh said: "Fatah never met as a party and decided to recognize Israel. It was the PLO that recognized Israel, and we are part of the PLO. We're not asking Hamas to change its political program and internal policies."
Meanwhile, despite all, nearly 70 well-known left-wing Israeli authors, academics and retired generals have called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to open peace negotiations with Hamas, Syria and Lebanon. Among the signatories are former Tel Aviv Mayor Shlomo Lahat, Amoz Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, and Nobel Chemistry Prize laureate Aaron Ciechanover. The Associated Press reports that Lahat was asked how Israel could negotiate with Hamas when it does not recognize Israel; Lahat replied confidently, "We'll talk to them and then they will recognize us."
government would recognize Israel. The next day, however, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Ismail Haniyeh, specifically negated this, saying that he would not lead a coalition that recognizes Israel.
It has now been reported that Abbas plans to meet with Haniyeh in Gaza today (Monday) or tomorrow in an attempt to revive the stalled talks. Chief PA negotiator Saeb Erekat of Fatah said that Abbas would tell Hamas, "If you want a unity government, there are international requirements that need to be met."
The Middle East Quartet, comprising the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia, has laid down three conditions under which it will recognize the Palestinian Authority government: renounce terrorism, recognize the State of Israel and accept all previously signed agreements such as the Oslo Accords.
As of now, the Quartet does not recognize the Hamas-run government, and has withheld much international funding. The lack of money has caused a crisis within the Palestinian Authority, leading PA leaders to turn to a unity government to possibly attract international recognition.
Asked about the possibility of putting pressure on Hamas, Abbas said, "Hamas does not need to be pressured, as the situation of the Palestinian people does not need such pressure. We have had a strike for more than four weeks, and it is still on because of the [lack of] salaries. Palestinians want to live, to eat. Also we have the [issue of the closing of the] crossings. All these challenges should make any responsible man see the picture and the situation clearly in front of his eyes."
Some reports say that if Abbas fails to convince Hamas to recognize Israel, he plans to dissolve the Hamas-led government and call new elections.
Hamas continues to insist that it will not recognize Israel. The Palestine News Network quoted a Hamas source today as saying, “We in the Hamas movement were surprised to hear the statement[s] from Mr. Abbas [in the UN], especially those which are contrary to what was agreed upon during the dialogue for the formation of a government of national unity. The statements are particularly dubious as they were made in front of U.S. and Israeli officials at the United Nations.” He added, “Hamas did not at any time agree to recognize Israel. Inside, negotiations for the new government were based upon the National Accord [Prisoners'] document, which does include recognition of the State of Israel.”
While some in the PA accuse Hamas of fomenting civil war, four armed groups have already threatened to target any PA government that recognizes Israel.
Hussein al-Sheikh, a top Fatah operative, was quoted by The Jerusalem Post as saying said his party was not asking Hamas to abandon its ideology. "No one is asking the brothers in Hamas to recognize Israel's right to exist," he explained. "We're only asking them to endorse a realistic and pragmatic policy that would be acceptable to the international community so that we could end the current financial crisis."
Even Fatah never recognized Israel, Al-Sheikh said: "Fatah never met as a party and decided to recognize Israel. It was the PLO that recognized Israel, and we are part of the PLO. We're not asking Hamas to change its political program and internal policies."
Meanwhile, despite all, nearly 70 well-known left-wing Israeli authors, academics and retired generals have called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to open peace negotiations with Hamas, Syria and Lebanon. Among the signatories are former Tel Aviv Mayor Shlomo Lahat, Amoz Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, and Nobel Chemistry Prize laureate Aaron Ciechanover. The Associated Press reports that Lahat was asked how Israel could negotiate with Hamas when it does not recognize Israel; Lahat replied confidently, "We'll talk to them and then they will recognize us."